Yakutat – Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Monday, 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. In years 2010 through 2012, and again in 2015 and 2016, the Situk River king salmon stock failed to achieve the BEG. In 2013, 2014, and 2017, the goal was achieved after restrictive management measures were implemented in the sport, commercial, and subsistence fisheries. The 2018 preseason forecast has estimated a total run of approximately 700 large king salmon. Given recent small escapements and harvest trends, the BEG is not expected to be achieved without preseason king salmon fishery restrictions. A conservative management approach warrants closing the Situk River to sport fishing for king salmon.

For further information anglers should the call the Yakutat Sport Fish Office at (907) 784-3222.

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