(Yakutat) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced today that the king salmon sport fishery in the Situk River will open to the retention of king salmon downstream of the Situk River weir and to nonretention upstream of the weir at 12:01 a.m., Saturday, July 26. The bag and possession limits downstream of the weir are one king salmon 20 inches or greater in length and 10 king salmon less than 20 inches in length. Nonresident anglers have an annual limit of one fish over 20” in length in all freshwaters of the Yakutat management area, including the Situk River. Sport fishing upstream of the Situk River weir is closed to the retention of king salmon. Any king salmon caught upstream of the weir must not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

Anglers are reminded that in order to sport fish for king salmon you must be in possession of a valid 2025 king salmon stamp.

The Situk River drainage is managed for a biological escapement goal of 450 to 1,050 large king salmon. The Situk River weir count through July 23 is 1,092 large king salmon, which is over the upper bound of the escapement goal range. Typically, by this date approximately 89% of the king salmon run has passed the Situk River weir. Opening the king salmon sport fishery and allowing sport harvest of king salmon below the Situk River weir for the remainder of the season will provide additional opportunity for sport anglers and will not put achievement of the escapement goal in jeopardy.

For further information, contact the Yakutat ADF&G office at 907-784-3222 or visit our website.

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