Situk River federal subsistence Chinook Salmon fishery reopened

YAKUTAT, Alaska – Yakutat District Ranger Lee Benson, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, has announced that the Situk River will reopen to the harvest of Chinook Salmon from 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 22, 2020, due to the Chinook Salmon run being projected to meet or exceed the upper end of the escapement goal. The use of gillnets remains prohibited in the Situk River though Thursday, July 30, 2020, to minimize the incidental mortality of Chinook Salmon beyond the allowable harvest.

07/21/2020

Last edited 01/25/2022

Contact Information

Paul Robbins Jr.

Public Affairs Officer

Tongass National Forest

907-617-2063

paulrobbins@usda.gov

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has also taken action to reopen the State subsistence fisheries. ADF&G has set the biological escapement goal for the Situk River drainage at 450-1,050 large (>28 inches) Chinook Salmon. The return of large Chinook Salmon to the Situk River has been below the goal in six of the last ten years. The goal was achieved in 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2019 after restrictive management measures were implemented. Even though the 2020 run is expected to meet or exceed the upper end of the escapement goal, chronic low returns require a conservative approach to harvest to allow as many Chinook Salmon as possible to reach the spawning grounds; conservative harvest limits will be specified as permit conditions. Current Federal subsistence fishing permit holders interested in harvesting kings and those interested in obtaining a permit or for more information can contact Yakutat District Ranger Lee Benson at (907) 784-3018.

Information on the Federal Subsistence Management Program can be found on the web at http://www.doi.gov/subsistence/index.cfm.

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