Contact:
Doug Fleming
Petersburg-Wrangell Area Management Biologist
Phone: (907) 772-5231

Petersburg – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish today announced an increase in the bag and possession limit for king salmon in the Wrangell Narrows-Blind Slough Terminal Harvest Area from June 1 through July 31.  In this area, the sport fishing bag and possession limits for all anglers will be three king salmon 28 inches or greater in length and three king salmon less than 28 inches in length.  The Wrangell Narrows-Blind Slough terminal harvest area near Petersburg is described as: that portion of Wrangell Narrows, south of 56^O 46’ N. latitude (Martinsen’s dock) and east of the longitude, and north of the latitude, of the northern tip (Inlet Point) of Woewodski Island, and; the waters of Blind Slough upstream of a line between Blind Point and Anchor Point.  King salmon caught by nonresident anglers in the terminal harvest area during this period do not count toward the nonresident annual limit.

The increase in bag and possession limits are justified based on a projected run of Crystal Lake Hatchery king salmon under provisions in the Wrangell Narrows-Blind Slough Terminal Harvest Area Management Plan (5 AAC 33.381). This plan directs the department to increase the bag limit from June 1 through July 31 when the projected king salmon return to the terminal harvest area is greater than 4,000 fish. The 2006 estimated run is 5,200 king salmon. The nonresident annual limit is repealed in the terminal harvest area based on provisions in the Southeast King Salmon Management Plan (5 AAC 47.055). 

Anglers are reminded that region-wide regulations prohibit the possession of king salmon less than 28 inches when fishing outside of designated terminal harvest areas, and also prohibit possessing king salmon in excess of the regulations for the area where they are fishing.  Anyone needing further information concerning this announcement can contact the Division of Sport Fish, in Petersburg at (907) 772-5231.  For more information about the sport fisheries in Southeast Alaska, contact the nearest Southeast Alaska ADF&G office or visit: http://www.state.ak.us/adfg/sportf/region1/r1home.htm.