(Kodiak) - In support of increasing harvest opportunities, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is restoring the bag and possession limits for sockeye salmon to 5 fish in the Saltery Cove drainage. The salmon bag and possession limit is 5 salmon, other than king salmon, all of which may be any combination of sockeye, chum or pink salmon and only two of which may be coho salmon. This regulatory change is effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, August 13 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2026.

Through August 10, a total of 17,511 sockeye salmon have passed the Saltery River weir. The escapement goal for sockeye salmon into Saltery Lake is 15,000 to 35,000 fish and typically 90% of the run has passed through the weir by this date. The escapement goal has been exceeded in most of the last 10 years and has now been achieved this season.

“The 2026 sockeye run at Saltery Cove is much smaller than recent years but is on track to achieve the middle of the escapement goal of 15,000 to 35,000 fish. The run has exceeded the escapement goal numerous times in recent history and has just passed the lower end of the goal this season,” stated Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum. “Restoring the bag limit to 5 sockeye salmon is warranted and will provide anglers additional harvest opportunity.”

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

#26-4104