Bulletin: Situk River Federal subsistence Chinook Salmon fishery closed

YAKUTAT, Alaska – Yakutat District Ranger Nate Catterson, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, announced that the Situk River will close to the harvest of Chinook Salmon from 12:01 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2026, through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, July 30, 2026, due to conservation concerns. 

The use of bait and gillnets is prohibited in the Situk River when fishing for other species during this closure to minimize the incidental mortality of Chinook Salmon. Incidentally caught Chinook Salmon may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. View the full emergency special action, 12-KS-01-26, at https://www.doi.gov/subsistence/fisheries-special-actions.

The Alaska Department of Fish & Game set the biological escapement goal (BEG) for the Situk River drainage Chinook Salmon at 730 fish three ocean years of age or older, with a range of 450-1,050 fish. Since 2010, the previous BEG goal was achieved in 2013, 2014, 2017, 2019-2022, and 2024-2025 only after restrictive management measures were implemented. 2023 was the lowest escapement of Chinook Salmon recorded in the 36 years the weir has been operated at its current location (144 large Chinook Salmon). Recent trend towards chronic low returns warrants a conservative approach to ensure the BEG is achieved and to allow as many Chinook Salmon as possible to reach the spawning grounds. 

Information about the Federal Subsistence Management Program may be found on the web at www.doi.gov/subsistence or by visiting www.facebook.com/subsistencealaska.

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