Area Sport Fishing Reports
Bristol Bay

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 22, 2017

Week of June 22 - 28

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

• The bag and possession limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length in the Nushagak-Mulchatna River drainage are reduced from two per day, only one of which may be greater than 28 inches in length, to one per day, 20 inches or greater in length. In addition, the annual limit of king salmon 20 inches or greater in length from the Nushagak-Mulchatna drainage is reduced from four to two fish. The bag and possession limit for king salmon less than 20 inches remains at five fish, no annual limit. These restrictions are effective beginning 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 23, 2017.
• Up to two king salmon recorded before Friday, June 23, on the harvest portion of an Alaska sport fishing license or harvest record card do not count against the two king salmon 20 inches or greater in length that may be harvested on or after June 23.
• These restrictions are made in accordance with 5 AAC 06.361. Nushagak/Mulchatna King Salmon Management Plan as adopted by the Alaska Board of Fisheries. To ensure that the projected spawning escapement does not fall below 55,000 fish, the plan directs the department to restrict the king salmon sport fishery in the Nushagak River when the department projects the total inriver run will be less than 70,000 fish. Through June 20, approximately 22% into the run, an estimated 2,832 king salmon have passed the Portage Creek sonar. Therefore the department is unable to project at this date that the inriver run of king salmon will exceed 70,000 fish. Due to the low inriver projections, a conservative approach is warranted to reduce the Nushagak River drainage sport harvest.

Freshwaters

King Salmon

• Naknek and Alagnak drainages:
• Sport fishing is currently reported as fair to good and should remain steady throughout this week.
• Nushagak drainage:
• The bag and possession limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length in the Nushagak-Mulchatna River drainage are reduced from two per day, only one of which may be greater than 28 inches in length, to one per day, 20 inches or greater in length. In addition, the annual limit of king salmon 20 inches or greater in length from the Nushagak-Mulchatna drainage is reduced from four to two fish. The bag and possession limit for king salmon less than 20 inches remains at five fish, no annual limit. These restrictions are effective beginning 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 23, 2017 (see above).
• Sport fishing is reported as fair.
• The sonar near Portage Creek has been operational since June 7. Counts have now been apportioned by species and a total of 4,276 king salmon have been counted by the sonar through June 21. This is well behind desired levels. Management will be in accordance with the Nushagak/Mulchatna King Salmon Management Plan. Anglers should call 842-2427 for the latest counts and inseason regulatory changes.
• Togiak River and nearby drainages:
• It is still early for kings in the Togiak but sport fishing should pick up this week.

Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic Grayling

• Naknek and Alagnak drainages:
• Fishing is reported as good to excellent this week as rainbow trout and Dolly Varden continue to feed on out-migrating sockeye salmon smolt.
• Togiak River and nearby drainages:
• Effort remains low but fishing should be good to excellent.
• Wood River Lakes system:
• Fishing is very good to excellent in and at the outlets of larger tributaries of the lakes.

Northern Pike

• Naknek and Alagnak drainages:
• Fishing is reported as fair to good.
• Wood River Lake system:
• Fishing should be good along lake and slough shores and in shallow weedy bays.

Saltwaters

Halibut

• Nushagak Bay
• Sport fishing should be fair to good off the coast of Protection Point.