Division of Sport Fish |
Alaska Department of Fish and Game |
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Advisory Announcement |
CONTACT: Tyler Polum |
(Kodiak) - To protect returning king salmon and ensure fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing sport fishing for king salmon in the Karluk River drainage including the lagoon and its outlet stream effective 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, June 1 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 25, 2021. This closure prohibits sport fishing for king salmon including catch-and-release. During the closure, king salmon may not be targeted, possessed, or retained; king salmon that are caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. In addition, as a measure to reduce incidental hooking of king salmon, the use of bait is prohibited and only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure may be used in the Karluk River drainage below Karluk Lake including the lagoon and its outlet stream.
“The Karluk River king salmon fishery continues to be a stock of concern due to very low numbers of fish,” stated Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum. “With very low numbers of king salmon making it into the Karluk River, ADF&G is closing this king salmon sport fishery until it is apparent escapement goals will be achieved.”
King salmon angling opportunities may be restored in the Karluk River by a subsequent emergency order if inseason assessment indicates the king salmon run is stronger than anticipated. Beginning late May, ADF&G staff will closely monitor this fishery at the Karluk River salmon counting weir.
For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum at (907) 486-1880.
#21-3087