(Kodiak) – To protect returning sockeye salmon and ensure fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is reducing the sport fishing limit for sockeye salmon in the Saltery Cove drainage. This emergency order is effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, July 30 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2026 and reduces the sockeye salmon limit to two per day and two in possession.

“Through July 26, 7,454 sockeye salmon have been counted through the Saltery Cove weir. Historically, about 58% of the run has passed the weir by this date, and at the current harvest levels the run is not expected to meet the biological escapement goal (15,000-35,000).” stated Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum. “The run appears smaller than the last several years and the water level is exceptionally low in the drainage. With reduced harvest and future rain, it is expected that fish passage will improve in the drainage.”

Additional action may be taken in the sport fishery to adjust sockeye salmon limits in response to run strength. Limits may be increased if weir counts improve, or further reduced if returns continue to be below expectations.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum at
(907) 486-1880.

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