Anglers are advised that conservative king salmon regulations will be in effect for the Ketchikan Area sport fishery in order to reduce the harvest of Unuk River king salmon. New regulations and effective dates are as follows:

North Behm Canal

Salmon fishing is closed from April 1 – August 14 in Behm Canal and the contiguous bays enclosed to the north by a line from Point Lees to Elsie Point and a line from Elsie Point to the longitude of the outlet of Long Lake (131°26.100’W. long.), and to the south by a line from the western entrance of Bailey Bay at 55°56.036’ N. lat., 131°37.943’ W. long. to the northern tip of Hassler Island at 55°54.276’ N. lat., 131°37.798’ W. long. and a line from Fin Point at 55°51.256’ N. lat., 131°35.415’ W. long. to Dress Point at 55°51.145’ N. lat., 131°33.748’ W. long. (see attached map).

West Behm Canal

From April 1 to August 14, the bag and possession limit is one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length for all anglers; nonresident annual limit of three king salmon 28 inches or greater in length in the waters of west Behm Canal enclosed to the north by a line from the western entrance of Bailey Bay at 55°56.036’ N. lat., 131°37.943’ W. long. to the northern tip of Hassler Island at 55°54.276’ N. lat., 131°37.798’ W. long. and a line from Fin Point 55°51.256’ N. lat., 131°35.415’ W. long. to Dress Point 55°51.145’ N. lat., 131°33.748’ W. long., and to the south by a line from Niblack Point at 55°32.998’ N. lat., 132°07.228’ W. long., to South Vallenar Point at 55°22.878’ N. lat., 131°52.747’ W. long., and Tongass Narrows north of the latitude of Lewis Reef light (see attached map).

Ketchikan Sport Terminal Harvest Area

• April 1 to June 30 the bag and possession limit is one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length for all anglers; nonresident annual limit of 3 king salmon 28 inches or greater in length;

• July 1 to July 31 the bag and possession limit is six fish any size for all anglers; nonresident annual limit does not apply.

Anglers are reminded that regional bag, possession and size limits are different than those outlined in the areas listed above and anglers are prohibited from possessing fish that exceed the limits for the waters where they are fishing. Therefore, anglers fishing in multiple areas must be diligent to ensure they do not exceed the bag, possession, or size limit for the area they are currently fishing.

Unuk River king salmon, like other Southeast Alaska king salmon stocks, are experiencing a period of low productivity. The Unuk River king salmon spawning escapement goal is 1,800 to 3,800 large fish. After attaining the spawning escapement goal for 35 consecutive years, the Unuk River king salmon spawning escapement goal has not been achieved in four of the last five years. The 2017 preseason forecast is for a total run of approximately 1,500 large king salmon. Given that the total run forecast is already below the lower end of the spawning escapement goal, these conservative regulations are necessary to increase spawning escapement of Unuk River king salmon.

For further information concerning this announcement please contact Ketchikan Area Management Biologist, Kelly Reppert at (907) 225-2859.

#17-2383