(Anchorage) - The Seward Lagoon and Lagoon Outfall stream will be open to king (Chinook) salmon fishing for youth anglers aged 15 years or younger only, from 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 17 through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2020, for a Youth-Only Fishery. The Youth-Only fisheries were established by the Alaska Board of Fisheries to provide additional opportunity for young people to go fishing. The dates of this Youth-Only Fishery were liberalized at the December 2019 Alaska Board of Fisheries meeting. It is now open from June 17 - June 30.

“Fishing for kings in saltwater in the Seward area has been picking up the last week and kings have been moving up into the lagoon. This fishery presents a good opportunity for kids to catch a king salmon,” stated Area Management Biologist Jay Baumer.

Youth anglers are allowed to use one (single or treble) hook when fishing in the Seward Lagoon or Lagoon Outfall stream. Bait is also allowed. Snagging is not allowed in the lagoon or outfall stream and all snagged fish need to be released immediately. The bag and possession limit for king salmon is two per day. Once you have retained a bag limit of king salmon, you may not fish for any species in the Seward Lagoon or the Lagoon Outfall stream on that same day. People age 16 and older are encouraged to help the young anglers but remember this is a Youth-Only Fishery for anglers under 16 years-old and the fish belongs to whomever hooks the fish, so let the kids fish. Outside of this Youth-Only Fishery, the lagoon and outfall stream are closed to fishing for king salmon.

Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing the current State of Alaska Health Mandates in effect. This includes practicing social distancing while sport fishing and wearing a face covering when fishing and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.

For current regulations, please see page 79 of the 2020 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.

For additional information, please contact the Anchorage Sport Fish Information Center at (907) 267-2218.

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