As a result of returning numbers, managers say subsistence fishermen in the Kuskokwim Bay around Quinhagak and Goodnews are now able to fish for king salmon UNRESTRICTED.
State managers say two out of three river areas in the Kuskokwim Bay met their escapement goals for king salmon last year, surveyor’s counted more kings than in previous years.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued a news release Wednesday, saying king salmon escapement was met for the Kanektok River in 2015. The aerial survey goal was met with just under 5 thousand kings counted, the highest since 2010. Over 10 thousand kings passed the Kanektok weir, the highest counted since 2009.
The aerial survey goals were met in the Goodnews River North Fork area with just under a thousand kings counted, the most counted since 2008. Kings passing the Middle-Fork Goodnews River weir were not enough to meet escapement goals with just under fifteen-hundred kings counted, but managers say it was the most counted since 2011.
Managers use both weirs on the river and conduct aerial surveys over the spawning areas to measure escapement.
ADF&G attributes the success to conservation efforts by subsistence and commercial fisherman in previous years, when escapement goals were not met in either river’s since 2012.
As for the commercial fishery, there are no processors or catcher-sellers registered for the Kuskokwim area. Commercial fishing will not be allowed until a buyer market is secured.
As for the sport fishery in the Kuskokwim Bay, the bag and possession limit for king salmon in all tributaries has been reduced to one fish. The sport fishing season is scheduled to close by July 26.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game says the Middle-Fork Goodnews weir will operate but the Kanektok River weir will not due to funding.
To see the news release click here.