The entire Monashka Creek drainage and the waters of Monashka Bay shoreward of a straight line extending from Miller Point to Termination Point are closed to sport fishing for king salmon effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, June 1, 2017. This closure prohibits all sport fishing, including catch-and-release fishing for king salmon. King salmon may not be possessed or retained; king salmon caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. In addition, only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure may be used in the waters of Monashka Creek which otherwise remain open to sport fishing.

The Monashka Creek drainage supports an enhanced run of king salmon used by the department as a brood source to provide annual releases of hatchery king salmon into Monashka Creek and three other streams located on the Kodiak road system. For the past 6 years there have been inadequate numbers of adult king salmon available from Monashka Creek for an egg take. In order to ensure brood stock needs of the enhancement project are met to sustain future king salmon fishing opportunities on the Kodiak road system, the department has determined it necessary to close the 2017 sport fishery in the Monashka Creek drainage and Monashka Bay. King salmon will still be available for harvest in the Olds and American rivers and in Salonie Creek and Kalsin Bay. Harvest opportunity may be restored in Monashka Creek and Bay by subsequent emergency order if king salmon returns to Monashka Creek indicate that brood source collection goals will be achieved.

For more information contact the Division of Sport Fish office in Kodiak at (907) 486-1880.

#17-2388