This year’s king salmon catch limits in the Wrangell-Petersburg area are tighter for Alaska residents and nonresidents than the numbers that were in effect at the start of last year’s sportfishing effort. However, they are essentially the same limits as mid-season catch restrictions imposed last June to manage the runs.
The sportfishing regulations announced last month close off most of the waters around Wrangell and Petersburg to retention of king salmon starting April 1 and continuing to either June 14 or July 14, depending on the area. It’s the same schedule last year started with.
Specific hatchery return areas will be open this summer to king salmon fishing, with those rules announced later.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced the sportfishing possession limit for king salmon in the Wrangell-Petersburg area at two kings, at least 28 inches in length. The regulations also state that a resident may use two rods when fishing for king salmon, but “a person using two rods under this regulation may only retain salmon.”
The sportfishing limit last year started at three kings for residents, though the department reduced the catch to two kings in June as sportfishing was headed toward exceeding its catch allocation.
This year’s nonresident bag and possession limit is one king salmon, at least 28 inches in length, the same as last year. The nonresident annual limit is three kings, a reduction from last year when the limit started at four kings but was cut by the department to three fish in June to preserve the runs.
Nonresidents also have to immediately record “the species, date and location on their sport fishing license or on a nontransferable harvest record,” the rules state.
Same as last year, the districts around Wrangell, Zarembo, Etolin, Mitkof, Kupreanof and most of Kuiu islands are closed starting April 1. While the District 8 waters in front the Stikine River will remain closed to king salmon retention through July 14, the other areas will open June 15.
“A separate news release will be issued at a later date announcing king salmon regulations for locations where Alaska hatchery-produced king salmon are expected to return,” the department said. That would include Anita Bay on Etolin Island and Blind Slough on the Wrangell Narrows.
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