Contact:
Randy Ericksen
Area Management Biologist
Phone: (907) 766-3638
June 02, 2006
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced today that special king salmon regulations for anglers fishing in Taiya Inlet north of the latitude of Taiya Point will be in effect from 12:01 A.M. Monday June 5 through 11:59 P.M. Monday July 31, 2006. During this period, the bag and possession limit in Taiya Inlet is three king salmon of any size, and king salmon caught in Taiya Inlet do not count toward the nonresident annual limit. This additional opportunity is being provided to allow harvest of hatchery-produced king salmon released at Pullen Creek, where runs are expected to exceed broodstock needs.
During the same period, the salt waters near the mouth of Pullen Creek will be closed to sport fishing to ensure brood stock needs are met. King salmon returning to Pullen Creek must migrate into the stream through a culvert that is accessible only during higher tides. Hatchery fish mill in saltwater off the mouth of the stream until a sufficient high tide allows them to pass through the culvert. The area closed extends north of a line from a department marker on the Broadway Dock to a department marker on the ore terminal dock, including the area off the mouth of Pullen Creek.
The department reminds anglers that fresh waters of Southeast Alaska are closed to king salmon fishing. However, Pullen Creek in Skagway may be opened to taking king salmon once hatchery brood stock needs have been met. In 2005, this did not happen because vandalism to the weir and holding pens resulted in the release of adult king salmon before enough eggs were collected. Continued vandalism will jeopardize the future of this king salmon enhancement program and the local king salmon fishery.
Other king salmon regulations remain unchanged in the area. Anglers sport fishing for king salmon are required to purchase a 2006 king salmon tag in addition to a sport fishing license. Exceptions to this requirement are listed on page 3 of the Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary.
Anglers can not possess king salmon in excess of the regulations for the area where they are fishing. Regulations prohibit the possession of king salmon less than 28 inches when fishing outside of designated terminal harvest areas. Resident anglers are allowed to keep three king salmon 28 inches or more in length per day and in possession with no annual limit. Nonresident anglers are allowed to keep one king salmon 28 inches or more in length per day and in possession with an annual limit of four king salmon outside the terminal area. Department staff and Fish and Wildlife Protection will closely monitor this terminal king salmon fishery. If violations are observed regarding the location where king salmon are caught, the terminal fishery could be closed.
If you need further information concerning this news release call (907) 766-2625 for recorded sport fishing information or call the Division of Sport Fish office in Haines at (907) 766-3638.