news
Haines…the Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced today that sport and subsistence salmon fishery area closures in the Chilkat Inlet, and the subsistence salmon fishery closure in Chilkat River will be extended. The Department is forecasting a below average return of king salmon to the Chilkat River this year. Data collected in the lower Chilkat River indicates that the run is about one week later than normal this year. In addition, we have received numerous reports of king salmon being caught by subsistence fishers in Chilkat Inlet indicating that they are still holding in salt water. To protect mature king salmon returning to spawn in the Chilkat River these closures are being extended for approximately one week.
The following marine waters will be closed to subsistence salmon fishing and sport fishing for king salmon through 11:59 p.m. July 23, 1999: Chilkat Inlet: will be closed to subsistence salmon fishing and sport fishing for king salmon north of a line extending from a department marker one mile south of Anchorage Point to a department marker directly north of the Letnikof Cove boat ramp. Note: The area of Chilkat Inlet north of the latitude of Glacier Point to the line described above will be open as specified on subsistence permits issued for the Haines Management Area.
The following waters will be closed to subsistence salmon fishing through 11:59 p.m., July 26, 1999.
Chilkat River subsistence area: the Chilkat River mainstem and side channels from four (4) mile Haines Highway to one mile upstream of Wells Bridge (except adjacent to Klukwan) will be closed to subsistence salmon fishing through 11:59 p.m., July 26, 1999.
Subsistence salmon fishing in the Chilkat River was opened beginning June 1 through June 24 to allow subsistence harvest opportunity on early-run sockeye salmon returning to the Chilkat River. This years opening of the Chilkat River was earlier than in the past. Sport fishing regulations do not allow anglers to fish for king salmon in the Chilkat River.
The subsistence and sport fishing closures of the Chilkat River and portions of Chilkat Inlet are needed to protect mature chinook salmon returning to spawn in the Chilkat River. These conservation actions are similar to those implemented in recent years.
If you need further information concerning this news release contact the following numbers: For information concerning the subsistence fishery call the Commercial Fisheries Division office in Haines at (907) 766-2830. For information concerning the sport fishery call (907) 766-2625 for recorded sport fishing information or call the Division of Sport Fish office in Haines at (907) 766-3638.
Uploaded: 7/15/1999
Uploaded: 7/15/1999