(Kodiak) - To protect returning king salmon and ensure fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing sport fishing for king salmon in the Karluk River drainage including the lagoon and its outlet stream effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 1 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 25, 2022. This closure prohibits sport fishing for king salmon including catch-and-release. During the closure, king salmon may not be targeted, possessed, or retained; king salmon that are caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. In addition, as a measure to reduce incidental hooking of king salmon, the use of bait is prohibited and only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure may be used in the Karluk River drainage downstream of Karluk Lake including the lagoon and its outlet stream.

“Despite achieving the escapement goal in some recent years, the Karluk River king salmon fishery continues to see low returns in many years, with 2021 being the most recent year of poor escapement,” stated Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum. “With very low numbers of king salmon making it into the Karluk River in recent years, ADF&G is closing this king salmon sport fishery until it is apparent escapement goals will be achieved­­.”

King salmon angling opportunities may be restored in the Karluk River by a subsequent emergency order if in-season assessment indicates the king salmon run is stronger than anticipated. Beginning late May, ADF&G staff will closely monitor this fishery at the Karluk River salmon counting weir.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum at (907) 486-1880.

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