Region 2-Southcentral News Release
(Released: July 05, 2005)
ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Wayne Regelin, Commissioner
DIVISION OF SPORT FISH
Kelly Hepler, Director
Contact:
Len Schwarz
Area Management Biologist
Phone: (907) 486-1880
July 05, 2005
KARLUK LAGOON TO REOPEN TO KING SALMON FISHING
Sport fishing for king salmon will reopen in Karluk Lagoon effective July 5. The bag and possession limits will be one king salmon 20 inches or greater per day and one in possession. Bait will be allowed. Fishing for king salmon will be allowed only in Karluk River waters downstream of a marker located approximately 100 yards below the weir, in the lagoon and in its outlet stream. Waters of the Karluk River upstream of the weir will remain closed to fishing for king salmon.
King salmon escapement into the Karluk River has slowly improved following the June 27 announcement to close the entire drainage to king salmon fishing. There have been slightly over 1,000 king salmon counted through the weir since then, bringing the total weir count as of July 4 to 3,400 king salmon. Although the return is below average, the spawning escapement goal of 3,600 to 7,300 fish can still be achieved while allowing a limited sport fish harvest to occur downstream of the weir. In order to provide angling opportunity on what is currently estimated to be a small surplus of fish, and to protect those fish that have already entered the river, sport fishing for king salmon is being reopened only in the Karluk Lagoon at this time. The department will continue to closely monitor the Karluk River king salmon escapement. If a significant improvement in the escapement is noted, the Karluk River upstream of the weir may be reopened to king salmon fishing at that time.
