Contact:
Bob Chadwick
Sitka Area Management Biologist
Phone: (907) 747-5355

Sitka – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced today that, effective 12:01 A.M. Saturday, July 8, 2006 the bag and possession limit at Redoubt Bay and Lake will be six sockeye salmon. 

In January 2003, the Alaska Board of Fisheries adopted the Redoubt Bay and Lake Sockeye Salmon Management Plan.  This plan provides management provisions for sport, subsistence, and commercial fisheries that harvest Redoubt Lake sockeye salmon based on an optimal escapement goal of 7,000 to 25,000 fish.  The plan directs ADF&G to establish a bag and possession limit of 6 sockeye salmon in Redoubt Bay and the Redoubt Lake drainage if the projected total escapement is greater than 30,000 sockeye salmon. The Redoubt Lake weir, operated by the U.S. Forest Service was installed and operational by June 22, 2006.  As of July 6, 2006, 8,120 sockeye salmon had passed the Redoubt weir.  Based on previous years run timing, the 2006 escapement is expected to exceed 40,000 sockeye salmon.  Therefore, the department is establishing a bag and possession limit of 6 sockeye salmon for all sport anglers.

Snagging by nonresidents will remain prohibited in all waters of Redoubt Bay south of 56° 54.71’ N. latitude (see attached map) from July 8 through August 31. 

www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/eonr/images/redoubtmap.gif

Other management measures will be implemented for the Redoubt Lake and Bay subsistence fishery and announced via a separate news release.

Anyone needing further information concerning this announcement may contact the Division of Sport Fish in Sitka at (907) 747-5355 or visit: