Situk River Federal subsistence Chinook Salmon fishery reopened

Bait will be allowed when fishing with rod and reel as per the Yakutat area regulations. The use of gillnets remains prohibited in the Situk River though Friday, July 30, 2021, to minimize the incidental mortality of Chinook Salmon beyond the allowable harvest.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has also taken action to reopen the State subsistence fisheries. 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 run is expected to meet or exceed the upper end of the escapement goal, chronic low returns require a conservative approach to harvest to allow as many Chinook Salmon as possible to reach the spawning grounds; conservative harvest limits will be specified as permit conditions. Current Federal subsistence fishing permit holders interested in harvesting kings and those interested in obtaining a permit, or for more information, may contact Yakutat District Ranger Lee Benson at 907-784-3018 or Susan Oehlers at 907-312-8003 (susan.oehlers@usda.gov). Federal subsistence fishing regulations are available through the Yakutat Ranger District and online at https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/2019-21_fisheries_regs_book_web_reduced.pdf.

Information on the Federal Subsistence Management Program can be found on the web at http://www.doi.gov/subsistence/index.cfm.

For interviews and information to be used for publication, contact the Tongass Public Affairs Officer at 907- 228-2063 or paul.robbins@usda.gov.

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