(Yakutat) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish announced today that beginning at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, May 1, sport fishing for king salmon in the Situk River is closed. King salmon may not be targeted, retained, or possessed; king salmon caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

The Situk River drainage is managed for a biological escapement goal (BEG) of 450-1,050 large king salmon. The 2025 preseason forecast estimates a total run of approximately 750 large king salmon. Given recent small escapements and harvest trends, the BEG is at risk of not being achieved without preseason king salmon fishery restrictions. A conservative management approach warrants closing the Situk River to sport fishing for king salmon to start the season. As king salmon begin returning to the Situk River the sport fishery may open to harvest if the BEG is met.

The Alaska Board of Fisheries, at its Southeast and Yakutat Finfish and Shellfish meeting in February, revised the Situk-Arhnklin Estuary King Salmon Management Plan. Among the changes, the revised management plan prescribes that the sport fishery for king salmon will begin the season closed and may open if the BEG is met or exceeded.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist, Jason Pawluk at (907) 784-3222.

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