Situk River Federal subsistence Chinook Salmon fishery closed

The use of bait and gillnets is prohibited in the Situk River when fishing for other species during this closure to minimize incidental mortality of Chinook Salmon. Incidentally caught Chinook Salmon may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has also taken action to close State commercial, sport, and subsistence fisheries to conserve returning Situk River Chinook Salmon. ADF&G has set the biological escapement goal for the Situk River drainage at 450-1,050 large (>28 inches) Chinook Salmon. The return of large Chinook Salmon to the Situk River has been below the goal in five of the last ten years. The goal was achieved in 2013, 2014, 2017, 2019, and 2020 after restrictive management measures were implemented. Even though the 2021 forecast is within the escapement goal, chronic low returns inspired this conservation measure to allow as many Chinook Salmon as possible to reach the spawning grounds.

The use of bait and gillnets is prohibited in the Situk River when fishing for other species during this closure to minimize incidental mortality of Chinook Salmon. Incidentally caught Chinook Salmon may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has also taken action to close State commercial, sport, and subsistence fisheries to conserve returning Situk River Chinook Salmon. ADF&G has set the biological escapement goal for the Situk River drainage at 450-1,050 large (>28 inches) Chinook Salmon. The return of large Chinook Salmon to the Situk River has been below the goal in five of the last ten years. The goal was achieved in 2013, 2014, 2017, 2019, and 2020 after restrictive management measures were implemented. Even though the 2021 forecast is within the escapement goal, chronic low returns inspired this conservation measure to allow as many Chinook Salmon as possible to reach the spawning grounds.

For additional information, please contact Lee Benson at 907-784-3018. Information on the Federal Subsistence Management Program can be found on the web at http://www.doi.gov/subsistence/index.cfm.

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