The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced recently king salmon sport fishing restrictions for the marine waters near the communities of Petersburg, Wrangell, and Kake.
In the majority of marine waters within the management area (Districts 6, 10 and portions of District 5, District 7, and District 9) the retention of king salmon is prohibited, any king salmon caught must be released immediately from April 1 through June 14, 2019. In the waters adjacent to the Stikine River (District 8 and a portion of Eastern Passage near Wrangell) the retention of king salmon is prohibited, any king salmon caught must be released immediately from April 1 through July 14, 2019.
The 2019 preseason forecast for Stikine River king salmon is 8,250. This forecast indicates the escapement goal range (14,000-28,000) will not be met. Forecasts for other Southeast Alaska wild king salmon stocks are below goal as Southeast Alaska wild king salmon stocks are continuing to experience poor productivity. These actions are being taken as part of a region wide effort to reduce harvest of Southeast Alaska wild king salmon and increase spawning escapement for future production. Management actions are being taken across all Southeast Alaska fisheries, including sport, commercial, personal use, and subsistence, to reduce harvest of wild king salmon. Anglers fishing north of the Petersburg/Wrangell area should review the news release announcing restrictions for the Juneau and Haines/Skagway areas. Anglers fishing south of the Petersburg/Wrangell area should review the news release announcing restrictions for the Ketchikan area.
Contact Petersburg/Wrangell Area Management Biologist, Patrick Fowler at (907) 772-5231 with questions.
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