(Kodiak) - In favor of protecting returning king salmon and ensuring fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing sport fishing for king salmon in the Karluk River drainage including the lagoon and its outlet stream effective 12:01 a.m. Monday, June 1 through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2020. This closure prohibits sport fishing for king salmon including catch-and-release. During the closure, king salmon may not be targeted, possessed, or retained; king salmon that are caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. In addition, as an added measure to reduce incidental hooking of king salmon, the use of bait is prohibited and only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure may be used in the Karluk River drainage below Karluk Lake including the lagoon and its outlet stream.

“The Karluk River king salmon fishery continues to be a stock of concern with very low numbers of fish,” stated Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum. “With very low numbers of king salmon making it into the Karluk River, ADF&G is closing this king salmon sport fishery until it is apparent escapement goals will be achieved­­”

King salmon angling opportunities may be restored in the Karluk River by a subsequent emergency order if inseason assessment indicates the king salmon run is stronger than anticipated. Beginning late May, ADF&G staff will closely monitor this fishery at the Karluk River salmon counting weir.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum at (907) 486-1880.

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