(Palmer) – To protect returning king salmon and ensure sport fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing all drainages in the West Cook Inlet Area to sport fishing for king salmon for the duration of the king salmon season (May 1 – June 30). Anglers may not target king salmon (including catch and release) at anytime during 2026. Any king salmon caught must be released immediately, a person may not remove a king salmon from the water before releasing the fish.

“King salmon runs in Cook Inlet are anticipated to be poor in 2026,” stated Area Management Biologist Samantha Oslund. “Several king salmon fisheries in this area of Cook Inlet have been closed in regulation since 2011. Conservative actions continue to be necessary to protect the small king salmon stocks of West Cook Inlet.”

King salmon are experiencing a period of poor productivity and many escapement goals are not expected to be achieved within Cook Inlet during 2026. The Department is taking conservative actions in sport fisheries throughout the region, please see separate advisory announcements for king salmon regulations for the Northern Cook Inlet freshwaters, Cook Inlet salt waters, Kenai River, Anchor River and Deep Creek, Ninilchik and Kasilof Rivers.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologists Samantha Oslund in Palmer at (907) 746-6300 and Area Manager Mike Booz in Homer at (907) 235-8191.

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