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FullSizeRender-2King salmon in Southeast Alaska are managed under an international treaty between the United States and Canada that is intended to fairly distribute the fish while ensuring long term sustainability of the stocks. The abundance index, a number that is derived from hundreds of data points, determines allowable catch in Southeast Alaska and, subsequently, the number of fish available for sport harvest.

The abundance index normally comes out in early April with everyone signed on. This year that wasn’t the case. The number forwarded was 1.45, which isn’t a very high level of abundance. Alaska disputed the number and fought tooth and nail to have it increased. That didn’t happen and for that reason the king salmon annual limit will be reduced from 6 to 3 on July 1. The daily bag limit of one per day after July 1 wasn’t changed or lowered. 

What does this mean to our valued customers? Not much really. If you’re with us for three days – you can still keep a king for each day fishing. If you’re here for four days – you’ll have one less king to keep. With the silvers already showing up, you’ll still have plenty of salmon to take home and enjoy.

We look forward to seeing you in Sitka. Check out our fishing reports to learn about the fishing leading up to your trip. We’ll see you soon.

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