(Dillingham) - In an effort to harvest surplus sockeye salmon returning to the Naknek River, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is liberalizing sport fishing regulations by increasing limits of sockeye salmon to 10 fish per day and 10 fish in possession for all waters of the Naknek River drainage. This regulatory change is effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, July 19 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 31, 2018. However, the bag and possession limit for other salmon, except king and sockeye salmon, remains at five fish per day and five in possession. These limits are in combination with the more liberal limits for sockeye salmon.

“Through Tuesday, July 17, 2018, over 2.1 million sockeye salmon have been counted at the Naknek River tower,” stated Area Management Biologist Jason Dye. “The passage of sockeye salmon on the Naknek River has exceeded the escapement goal of 800,000 to 2 million fish. Therefore, it is warranted to increase the bag and possession limit and allow sport anglers an opportunity to harvest the surplus sockeye salmon in Naknek River drainage.”

For additional information, please contact Dillingham Area Management Biologist Jason Dye at (907) 842-2427 or the Dillingham Sport Fish regulation recorder at (907) 842-7347.

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