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State Extends Sport Fishing Ban On Kuskokwim River

A boat rides down a river near Quinhagak.
Krysti Shallenberger
/
KYUK

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is extending its ban on sport fishing for king salmon along the Kuskokwim River and its tributaries for most of the summer. The sport fishing ban will last through July 25 to cover the length of the king run. The ban originally ran from May 1 to June 11. 

The extension is due to a low forecast for the king salmon run this season, and the current restrictions of the subsistence salmon fishery. The state may reconsider the closure later in the season if the king salmon run comes in stronger than forecast.

Rod and reel fishermen on the Kuskokwim River and its tributaries may use only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure. Any king salmon caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water, and must be released immediately.

Sport fishing for king salmon is still allowed in Kuskokwim Bay drainages. 

Greg Kim was a news reporter for KYUK from 2019-2022.