Region 2-Southcentral News Release
(Released: June 27, 2005)
Contact:
Len Schwarz
Area Management Biologist
Phone: (907) 486-1880
June 27, 2005
Because the Karluk River king salmon escapement is the lowest on record, the sport fishery will close at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, June 30, in order to increase the likelihood that the minimum king salmon spawning escapement goal will be achieved. This closure to king salmon fishing includes Karluk Lake, Karluk River and Karluk Lagoon.
This closure does not affect fishing for other species; however, in order to minimize incidental hooking mortality of king salmon, the use of bait is prohibited in the Karluk River drainage downstream of Karluk Lake. Only unbaited, artificial lures will be allowed downstream of Karluk Lake. Any king salmon caught incidentally may not be removed from the water and must be immediately released unharmed.
The king salmon escapement goal is 3,600 to 7,300 spawning fish. As of June 26, the weir count was 2,330 fish and the run is estimated to be 75% to 80% complete.
The department will continue to monitor the Karluk River king salmon escapement and if counts improve and projections indicate that the minimum escapement goal will be achieved, the king salmon sport fishery may be reopened.
