Division of Sport Fish
Dave Rutz, Director

Anchorage Headquarters Office
333 Raspberry Road
Anchorage, AK 99518


Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Doug Vincent-Lang, Commissioner

P.O. Box 115526
Juneau, AK 99811-5526
www.adfg.alaska.gov


Advisory Announcement
(Released: June 13, 2022 - Expired: July 15, 2022)

CONTACT: Mike Booz
Area Management Biologist
(907) 235-8191

Ninilchik River Closed to Sport Fishing

(Homer) - In favor of protecting returning king salmon and ensuring sport fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing the Ninilchik River to all sport fishing starting 12:01 a.m. Thursday, June 16 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 15, 2022.

As of June 12, 2022, a total of 182 naturally-produced king salmon had been counted at the lower Ninilchik River weir. Based on the 2019-2021 Ninilchik River naturally-produced king salmon run timing, the 2022 escapement is projected to be around less than 500 king salmon. Approximately 1,100 naturally-produced king salmon are needed at this weir to achieve the sustainable escapement goal (SEG) of 750-1,300 and broodstock collection goal for stocking the Ninilchik River in 2023. Only naturally-produced king salmon can be used as broodstock for stocking the Ninilchik River.

“Although the king salmon counts in the Ninilchik River did improve some over the last week, they are still lagging behind what’s needed for escapement and broodstock goals,” stated Area Management Biologist Mike Booz. “Closing the fishery will also provide the remaining fish for broodstock collection, and we are taking similar actions with the Kasilof River king salmon sport fishery.”

In conjunction with this closure, Emergency Order 2-KS-7-30-22 closes the Kasilof River to king salmon fishing through Friday, July 15, 2022.

For more information, please contact Area Management Biologist Mike Booz or Assistant Area Management Biologist Holly Dickson at (907) 235-8191.

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