(Homer) - To protect returning king salmon, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is restricting gear to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure in the Ninilchik River, Deep Creek, Stariski Creek, and the Anchor River from 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 16 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, July 31, 2025. The intention of this restriction is to reduce the incidental catch of king salmon for the remainder of the run in an attempt to achieve the sustainable escapement goals (SEG) for the Anchor and Ninilchik Rivers and maximize escapement into Deep and Stariski Creeks. These streams have been closed to sport fishing this season due to the low numbers of king salmon, but open to sport fishing in the lower 2-mile sections for species other than king salmon on July 16. King salmon incidentally caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. For all other sport fishing regulations for these streams, please review pages 60-65 in the Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulation summary booklet.

“The Anchor and Ninilchik River king salmon runs both have a reasonable opportunity to meet their SEGs with the later part of the run,” stated Area Management Biologist Mike Booz. “Due to low water conditions, there is a buildup of king salmon in the lower sections of these streams. This restriction should help ensure that we get as many of the king salmon remaining in the lower river into the escapement while still allowing anglers to fish for Dolly Varden and other salmon.”

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Mike Booz or Assistant Area Management Biologist Holly Dickson at (907) 235-8191.

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