Inseason Alaska Commercial Salmon Summary

This summary provides management, harvest, and escapement information for the Alaska commercial salmon fishing season. This summary will be updated each Friday between mid-May and September. Please note, inseason harvest data published in this summary are preliminary and subject to change. For more information on the Blue Sheet, inseason summaries, and harvest timing charts, please see our Blue Sheet, Inseason Summary, and Harvest Timing Charts Overview page.

Statewide Summary

Last updated: Friday, May 16, 2025

Area-specific fishery announcements, harvest, and escapement data can be found on the Commercial Fisheries homepage.

Inseason fish counts are posted on the Fish Count Data Search homepage.

Inseason harvest timing can be tracked here: Inseason Commercial Salmon Harvest Timing.

Southeast Alaska & Yakutat

Troll Fishery

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

Southeast Alaska/Yakutat Chinook salmon action plans adopted by the Alaska Board of Fisheries in 2022 and 2025 provide direction to implement management measures during spring fisheries. These measures restrict spring troll fisheries for conservation of SEAK and Transboundary River Chinook salmon stocks by limiting fisheries to areas on the outer coast near hatcheries or hatchery release sites. A total of 13 spring troll and 9 terminal harvest areas (THAs) have been opened to date targeting Alaska hatchery Chinook salmon. Opportunities to harvest Alaska hatchery chum salmon are available in 6 spring troll and 3 THAs in mid to late June.

A total of 218 troll permits have reported 13,926 Chinook salmon harvested from 1,209 spring troll and THA landings through June 26 (Statistical Week 26). This is a decrease in effort of 6 permits from the number of permits fished in 2024 and 26 permits below the 5-year average, for the same fishing period. The 2025 cumulative spring Chinook salmon harvest is below the 2024 and 5-year average by 1,106 and 944 fish. The current spring troll Chinook salmon seasonal average weight of 11.7 lb is above the 2024 and 5-year averages of 10.9 and 11.4 lb for the same period. The spring seasonal Chinook salmon average price per pound of $8.57 is above the 2024 and 5-year average price of $7.60 and $7.95.

The 2025 summer troll fishery will open July 1 at 12:01 a.m. to target approximately 37,700 Chinook salmon during the first Chinook salmon retention period, estimated to last 3 to 4 days.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Purse Seine Fishery

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

A detailed management plan for the 2025 season will be posted at:

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareasoutheast.salmon#management

Regulations allow purse seine fishing in Districts 1 (Sections 1-C, 1-D, 1-E, and 1-F only), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (Sections 6-C, 6-D, and 6-E only), 7, 9, 10, 11 (Sections 11-A and 11-D only), 12, 13, and 14. Although the areas specified above are designated purse seine fishing areas, specific open areas and fishing times are established in season by emergency order (EO). Purse seine fishing is also allowed in hatchery terminal harvest areas (THA) at Carroll Inlet, Neets Bay, Kendrick Bay, Anita Bay, Thomas Bay, Southeast Cove, Hidden Falls, Deep Inlet, Crawfish Inlet, and Amalga Harbor. Purse seine openings in THAs are established by EO in consultation with hatchery operators.

The 2025 SEAK pink salmon harvest is predicted to be in the average range with a point estimate of 29 million fish (80% prediction interval: 16–53 million fish. Although uncertainties are inherent in salmon forecasts, the NOAA/ADF&G joint pink salmon harvest forecast has maintained a strong track record, despite the unique forecasting challenges for pink salmon.

Common property purse seine openings began June 1 in the Carroll Inlet, Anita Bay, and Deep Inlet THAs, and June 15 in the Thomas, Bay, SE Cove, and Hidden Falls THAs. The Point Augusta Index Fishery was open twice this week, on Sunday and Thursday. THA harvest have been slow to date and harvests in the Point Augusta Index area have been below the recent 10-year averages. Traditional common property fisheries targeting pink salmon will begin in early July. The next purse seine opening will be Sunday, June 29.

The ADF&G interactive map where districts, sections, closed waters as well as other features used in the management of commercial salmon fisheries can be viewed, has been updated with recent changes from the Alaska Board of Fisheries and descriptions of THAs have been added. This map is available on the ADF&G website at: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareasoutheast.salmon#maps. Geographic information system data used to make the map is also available for download at: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=cfnews.main.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Drift Gillnet Fishery

Last updated: Friday, June 20, 2025

A detailed management plan for the 2025 season will be posted at:

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareasoutheast.salmon#management

There are 5 traditional drift gillnet fishing areas in SEAK: Tree Point and Portland Canal (District 1); Prince of Wales (District 6); Stikine (District 8); Taku/Snettisham (District 11); and Lynn Canal (District 15). In addition, drift gillnet fisheries occur in several terminal harvest areas (THA) adjacent to hatchery facilities and at remote release sites throughout the region. The Pacific Salmon Treaty PST directly influences management of Districts 1, 6, 8, and 11 drift gillnet fisheries (5 AAC 33.361).

The drift gillnet fishery primarily targets sockeye, pink, and chum salmon during the summer season and coho and chum salmon during the fall season. Directed commercial fisheries harvesting Stikine and Taku Rivers stocks of Chinook salmon began in 2005 after ceasing in the 1970s. District 8 was opened to directed fisheries on Stikine River Chinook salmon from 2005 through 2008, and limited fisheries occurred in 2012 and 2016. In District 11, directed fisheries on Taku River Chinook salmon occurred in 2005, 2006, and 2009, and two 12-hour openings occurred in 2012.

Traditional common property fisheries began on June 15. For details on various drift gillnet fisheries, see the following sections by gillnet area.

The ADF&G interactive map where districts, sections, closed waters as well as other features used in the management of commercial salmon fisheries can be viewed, has been updated with recent changes from the Alaska Board of Fisheries and descriptions of THAs have been added. This map is available on the ADF&G website at: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareasoutheast.salmon#maps. Geographic information system data used to make the map is also available for download at: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=cfnews.main.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Tree Point/Section 1-B

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

The Tree Point drift gillnet fishery opened at 12:01 p.m., on Sunday, June 22, for an initial 4-day fishing period. In comparison to the 10-year average, the harvest of sockeye, coho, and pink salmon were below average, the harvest of chum salmon was above average, and the harvest of Chinook salmon was average. The effort level of 30 vessels was below the 10-year average of 35 vessels. The estimated weekly harvest for statistical week 26 was 400 Chinook salmon, 1,600 sockeye salmon, 150 coho salmon, 400 pink salmon and 30,000 chum salmon. The 2025 preseason forecast for the Nass River is 597,000 sockeye salmon, allowing the Section 1-B drift gillnet fishery to harvest approximately 54,700 sockeye salmon of Nass River origin. With effort below average and currently no treaty concerns, Tree Point will be open four days in statistical week 27, beginning at 12:01 p.m., Sunday, June 29, 2025.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Stikine and Prince of Wales/Districts 6 and 8

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

District 6 and two small areas in District 8 were opened for an initial 72 hours. Management emphasis was based on sockeye salmon abundance with Chinook salmon conservation measures in place for both districts. A large area closure was in place for District 8 and the maximum size mesh allowed in both districts was six inches. Results from on-the-grounds surveys indicated a below average sockeye salmon abundance for the time of year. As such, no additional time occurred. The next opening will start on Sunday, June 29, for 72 hours in the same open areas as last week with mesh restrictions in effect for Chinook salmon conservation. Management personnel will be on the grounds assessing sockeye salmon run strength and wild Chinook salmon harvests for possible adjustments to fishing periods.

The 2025 preseason forecast for Stikine River sockeye salmon is 176,000 fish, which is above the 10-yr average of 120,000 fish. This forecast includes: 135,000 Tahltan Lake and 41,000 mainstem sockeye salmon. For 2025, harvest shares will be 57.5% U.S./42.5% Canada. Based on the forecast, this results in a U.S. AC of 76,100 Stikine River sockeye salmon and is comprised of approximately 64,600 Tahltan Lake fish and 11,500 mainstem bound sockeye salmon. The estimated U.S. harvest of Stikine sockeye salmon through SW 26 is 1,400 fish.

The 2025 preseason terminal run forecast for Stikine River large Chinook salmon is 10,000 fish. This forecast is well below the 10-yr average of 14,500 fish and below the escapement goal range of 14,000–28,000 fish. This forecast does not allow for directed Chinook salmon fisheries in District 8. Recent trends of Stikine River Chinook salmon abundance and trends in Chinook salmon abundance throughout SEAK indicate very poor survival of Chinook salmon. As such, conservation measures will be in place for the start of the sockeye salmon fishery. It is estimated that 84 large Stikine River Chinook salmon have been harvested in commercial, sport, and subsistence fisheries in District 8 at the time of publication.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Taku-Snettisham/Section 11-B

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

Fishing effort in the District 11 drift gillnet fishery remained below average this week, with an estimated 30 vessels setting nets—approximately 81% of the recent 10-year average. Section 11-B was initially opened for two days, and encouraging initial catch rates prompted a 24-hour extension. While harvest levels declined as the opening progressed, overall harvest and catch per unit effort (CPUE) was near or above average across all species.

The northern line was again placed at Jaw Point this week to protect the tail end of the Taku River wild Chinook salmon run as they make their way upriver. An estimated 500 Chinook salmon were harvested this week, which is 274% of the recent 10-year average and CPUE 239% of average. However, coded wire tag (CWT) data indicated that the majority of Chinook caught were likely of hatchery origin, bound for Gastineau Channel. On the Taku River, the Wright River drift project, part of the Taku River Chinook salmon stock assessment, is nearing completion with over 1,000 large Chinook salmon tagged and released to date—setting a new record for the project since its inception in 2015. While the Taku River Chinook escapement will not be available until the spawning grounds recapture event takes place in late July and early August, results so far indicate that the escapement goal will likely be achieved this season.

Sockeye salmon harvest this week was estimated at 1,500 fish, which is 131% of the recent 10-year average and CPUE 137% of average. A full otolith sample was collected from Taku Inlet this week, and no hatchery marked sockeye were present. The Taku River sockeye salmon stock assessment project at Canyon Island has been ongoing with two project fish wheels capturing and spaghetti-tagging sockeye salmon as part one of the transboundary mark-recapture estimate of abundance. Upriver and across the international border, the Canadian inriver commercial gillnet fishery had its first opening this week and with it the start of part two (recapture) of the sockeye salmon mark-recapture study. This information will be used to generate weekly inseason sockeye salmon abundance estimates in the weeks to come.

Chum salmon harvest was estimated at 24,000 fish, or 109% of the recent10-year average, with CPUE 135% of average. The average sample weight reported by Douglas Island Pink and Chum (DIPAC) for the district this week was 7.6 pounds, with a sex ratio of 77% male. Age composition was 75% age-4, 24% age-5, and 1% age-6 fish. Effort targeting Limestone Inlet hatchery chum was minimal this week. DIPAC cost recovery operations in Gastineau Channel are expected to begin this weekend. Pink salmon harvest was modest this week, with landings estimated at approximately half of the 10-year average.

The District 11 drift gillnet fishery will open for 48 hours in statistical week 27. The northern boundary will remain at Jaw Point, and there will be no gear restrictions or night closures in effect.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Lynn Canal/District 15

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

The second week of the Lynn Canal (District 15) gillnet fishery opened on June 22 for two days in the traditional harvest areas and for three days in the outside waters of the Boat Harbor Terminal Harvest Area (THA). Conservation efforts to reduce harvest rates on Chilkat River Chinook salmon continued with the same conservative management measures implemented the previous week. The fishery remained open in the same areas, with a 1.5 nautical mile northern expansion of the Postage Stamp area. The inside waters of the Boat Harbor THA remain open until further notice, with no current restrictions.

Fishing effort increased compared to the previous week, with approximately 30 additional vessels joining the fleet, bringing the total to 110 boats—representing 89% of the recent 10-year average for this time of year. Chum salmon catch rates remained strong, with catch per unit effort (CPUE) above average during the first 24-hour fishing period. The total estimated chum harvest for the week was approximately 91,000 fish, aligning closely with the recent 10-year average. Most fishing effort was concentrated in Section 15-C, while Section 15-A saw minimal activity. Below-average sockeye salmon abundance in Section 15-A contributed to this shift in effort, as more consistent harvest success was observed in Section 15-C. Sockeye harvest improved slightly this week, totaling approximately 1,400 fish—slightly below the 10-year average for this period.

Recent rainfall, coupled with ongoing snow and ice melt from higher elevations, has kept both the Chilkat and Chilkoot Rivers at flood stage. The Chilkoot River weir was removed on June 20 due to high water but was redeployed yesterday and is now operational. Sockeye salmon passage at the weir is increasing, although the current escapement of 300 fish remains below average. At the Chilkat River weir, sockeye passage has been steady, with encouraging numbers observed. However, high water in the lower Chilkat River continues to limit operations of the adult Chinook drift project. To date, approximately 20 Chinook salmon have been captured and tagged, with average condition noted.

For statistical week 27, District 15 will open under the same area configuration as this week. Section 15-A will open for two days, and Section 15-C will open for three days. All conservation measures for Chinook salmon will remain in effect.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Yakutat Area Set Gillnet Fishery

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

The Alsek River set gillnet fishery opened on June 22, for 48-hours. A total of 7 permits harvested 26 Chinook and 428 sockeye salmon. Fleet participation was near average, and Chinook and sockeye harvest was below average for this statistical week.

The Yakutat Bay set gillnet fishery opened on June 22, for 60-hours. Less than two permits were fished for this statistical week and harvest information is confidential.

The Situk-Ahrnklin Inlet set gillnet fishery opened on June 22, for 60-hours. A total of 25 permits harvested 5,106 sockeye salmon. Fleet participation was average, and sockeye harvest was above average for this statistical week.

The Manby Shore Outside set gillnet fishery opened on June 22, for 60-hours. A total of 7 permits harvested 13 Chinook and 3,033 sockeye salmon. Fleet participation was average, and Chinook was below average and sockeye harvest above average for this statistical week.

Escapement monitoring at the Situk River weir for sockeye and Chinook salmon started on June 1st. To date, 12,601 sockeye, 87 large Chinook,19 medium Chinook and 19 small Chinook salmon have been enumerated at the weir. Model still has not been run to account for the 10 days that weir was not fish tight in the early part of June.

The remainder of the Yakutat District will open on the fourth Sunday in June. The East Alsek, Akwe, and the Italio River systems will open by emergency order when adequate levels of escapement can be documented.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Terminal Harvest Area (THA) Fisheries

Last updated: Friday, May 16, 2025

For the 2025 season, Terminal Harvest Area (THA) fisheries to harvest fish returning to Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) hatchery release sites will occur at Nakat Inlet, Carroll Inlet, Port Saint Nicholas, and Anita Bay. Fisheries to harvest fish returning to Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA) hatchery release sites will occur at Southeast Cove, Thomas Bay, Hidden Falls, Crawfish Inlet, and Deep Inlet. Fisheries to harvest fish returning to Douglas Island Pink and Chum release sites will occur at Boat Harbor. THA fisheries may occur at other release sites depending on cost-recovery operations. THA fisheries are managed in accordance with regulatory management plans, stock of concern action plans, and in consultation with the hatchery operators. Details regarding the open fishing periods by gear type in each THA will be announced via commercial fishery advisory announcements.

For inseason updates see hatchery organization website for SSRAA at http://www.ssraa.org/; NSRAA at https://www.nsraa.org/ and DIPAC at https://www.dipac.net/.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Nakat Inlet THA

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

The forecasted Nakat Inlet return is 516,000 summer chum, 6,000 fall chum, and 22,000 coho salmon. The Nakat Inlet THA will be open by regulation to the harvest of salmon by drift gillnet gear from Sunday, June 1, through Monday, November 10, 2025. The current estimated harvest is 9,000 chum salmon.

For updates on SSRAA contributions visit their website at http://www.ssraa.org/.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Neets Bay THA

Last updated: Friday, May 16, 2025

In 2025, SSRAA is forecasting total runs of 1,375,000 summer chum and 98,000 coho salmon with anticipated terminal runs of 894,000 summer chum and 39,200 coho salmon to the Neets Bay THA and will open to troll gear.

The Neets Bay THA will be expanded on July 1 to Chin Point at 131°42.10′ W long (Chin Point line) for troll gear only. Chinook salmon may NOT be retained in this expanded area, as Chinook salmon retention and possession in the Neets Bay THA is prohibited for vessels operating commercial troll gear within all waters of the THA.

The THA will remain open to troll gear 12:01 AM, Friday, June 27 through 11:59 PM, Thursday, July 31 as follows, unless closed by emergency order:

  • 12:01 AM, Friday, June 27, to 11:59 PM, Monday, June 30, east of the Bug Island line (131°39.14' W long);
  • 12:01 AM, Tuesday, July 1, to 11:59 PM, Thursday, July 31, east of the Chin Point line (131°42.10' W long);

The Neets Bay THA is not scheduled to open for rotational net fisheries in 2025. Details of the 2025 season fishing schedule and area for the Neets Bay THA were announced in a separate ADF&G advisory announcement released on April 15. Common property fisheries, if warranted, will be announced by advisory announcement, and opened by EO in consultation with SSRAA.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Kendrick Bay THA

Last updated: Friday, May 16, 2025

For 2025, SSRAA is expecting a total run of 1,431,000 summer chum salmon with an anticipated terminal run of 358,000 summer chum salmon. Due to budgetary shortfalls and the need for additional cost recovery, the Kendrick Bay THA will NOT open by regulation on June 15. The Kendrick Bay THA will remain closed to common property harvest until approximately 1.5 million pounds of chum salmon are harvested for cost recovery. Details of the 2025 fishing schedule for the Kendrick Bay THA were announced in a separate ADF&G advisory announcement released on April 16.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Caroll Inlet THA

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

The forecasted return for Carroll Inlet is 11,100 Chinook salmon. The Carroll Inlet THA will be open to troll gear from Sunday, June 1, through Monday, June 30, 2025. The Carroll Inlet THA will be open in the waters of Carroll Inlet north of the latitude of 55°34.83′ N lat, approximately 1.3 nautical miles north of Nigelius Point, to the harvest of salmon by net gear groups from Sunday, June 1, through Saturday June 7, 2025. The entire THA will open to drift gillnet and purse seine concurrently Sunday, June 8 through noon, Thursday, June 12, 2025. The Carroll Inlet THA will open to a rotational fishery between purse seine and drift gillnet on Sunday, June 15, 2025. The 500-yard stream closure (5 AAC 39.290) will not be in effect in the Carroll Inlet THA. The Carroll Inlet THA will close to all gear groups on Monday, June 30, 2025. The current estimated harvest is 1,600 Chinook salmon by purse seine gear and 700 Chinook salmon by drift gillnet gear.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Anita Bay THA

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

SSRAA is forecasting total runs of 8,900 Chinook, 395,000 summer chum, and 13,600 coho salmon from releases at Anita Bay. A total of 7,900 Chinook, 158,000 summer chum, and 6,100 coho salmon are expected to be available for harvest in the THA. The total reported gillnet harvest to date is 1,000 Chinook salmon and 100 chum salmon. The total reported seine harvest to date is 730 Chinook and 40 chum salmon. The Anita Bay common property fishery is governed as described in the District 7: Anita Bay Terminal Harvest Area Salmon Management Plan (5 AAC 33.383). The initial opening of Anita Bay will be delayed until June 1 to mitigate potential harvest of wild Chinook salmon. Similarly to last year, the mouth of the bay will be open exclusively to troll gear through June 12. A rotational fishery will be in place for drift gillnet and purse seine gear from June 13 through August 31. Further details of the 2025 season fishing schedule and open area within the Anita Bay THA can be found in an ADF&G advisory announcement released on April 16.

For further information and updates on Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (SSRAA) contributions and updates visit the SSRAA website.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Deep Inlet THA

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

The Deep Inlet THA opened on June 1, 2025. Harvest from the drift gillnet openings to date are 1,250 Chinook salmon and 6,200 chum salmon. Harvest from the drift gillnet openings to date are 1,900 Chinook salmon and 23,400 chum salmon. Harvest from the seine openings to date are 1,400 Chinook salmon and 56,000 chum salmon. During the 2025 Deep Inlet THA season, purse seine fishing is scheduled to be open on Sunday, Thursday, and Friday. Drift gillnet fishing is scheduled to be open on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. NSRAA expects runs of 2,059,000 chum, 24,700 Chinook, and 31,000 coho salmon to the Deep Inlet remote release site and the Medvejie Hatchery in 2025. This season, NSRAA does anticipate cost-recovery operations in the Deep Inlet THA and the entire THA will be closed to all common property fisheries to aid in the cost-recovery harvest from June 29 through August 2 and from August 10 until cost-recovery operations are complete. NSRAA will need approximately 132,500 chum salmon for broodstock.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Hidden Falls THA

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

The Hidden Falls Hatchery, operated by NSRAA, expects a run of 2,666,000 chum salmon. Common property purse seine openings at Hidden Falls in 2025 will occur on Sundays and Thursdays beginning Sunday, June 15. Harvest from the seine openings to date is 250 Chinook salmon and 84,000 chum salmon. Additionally, NSRAA will need approximately 240,000 chum salmon for broodstock. The Hidden Falls THA will close on Monday, July 7 to allow for cost recovery harvest operations; depending on the progress of the cost recovery fishery, portions of the Hidden Falls THA may reopen to common property harvest later in the season. A contraction of the offshore boundary of the Hidden Falls THA to within 1.0 nautical miles off the Baranof Island shoreline is likely for a portion of the 2025 season to conserve weak Chinook and pink salmon runs destined for systems farther inland.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Crawfish Inlet THA

Last updated: Friday, May 16, 2025

The District 13: Crawfish Inlet Terminal Harvest Area Salmon Management Plan (5 AAC 33.380) states that the department, in consultation with NSRAA, shall, by EO, open and close the Crawfish Inlet THA to provide for the harvest of hatchery-produced Chinook and chum salmon by purse seine, drift gillnet, and troll gear. The runs of Chinook and chum salmon to Crawfish Inlet are being managed with a troll priority. The THA will open to troll gear from 12:01 AM, June 1 through 11:59 PM, September 20 with Chinook salmon retention permitted only during June and the general summer troll Chinook salmon retention periods. Purse seine openings at Crawfish Inlet are scheduled to occur on Sundays and Thursdays from July 6 through July 26. The Crawfish Inlet THA will close to all common property fishing beginning on July 27 through the completion of cost-recovery operations.

NSRAA expects a run of 454,000 chum and 1,100 Chinook salmon to the Crawfish Inlet remote release site. NSRAA plans on conducting a cost-recovery fishery this season in Crawfish Inlet. The number of chum salmon available for common property harvest will depend entirely on the progress of the cost-recovery fishery. No chum salmon are expected to be needed for broodstock in Crawfish Inlet. 

Purse seine openings at Crawfish Inlet are scheduled to occur on Sundays and Thursdays from July 6 through July 26. The Crawfish Inlet THA will close to all common property fishing beginning on July 27 through the completion of cost recovery operations

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Thomas Bay THA

Last updated: Friday, May 16, 2025

NSRAA is forecasting a total run of 379,000 chum salmon to the Thomas Bay THA. A portion of the run will be harvested in common property fisheries in Chatham Strait and Frederick Sound. No cost recovery is planned in 2025. The Thomas Bay THA will be open to common property purse seine and troll fisheries from Sunday, June 15, through Saturday, August 9, 2025. Purse seine openings will occur on Sundays and Thursdays, and troll openings will occur on days closed to purse seining. Details of the 2025 Thomas Bay THA fishing schedule and area were announced in a separate ADF&G advisory announcement released on April 16.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Southeast Cove THA

Last updated: Friday, May 16, 2025

NSRAA is forecasting a total run of 587,000 summer chum and 550 Chinook salmon to the Southeast Cove THA. A portion of these runs could be harvested in common property fisheries in Chatham Strait. The Southeast Cove THA will be open to open continuously to troll gear from 12:01 AM, Sunday, June 1 through 11:59 PM., Saturday, June 14 and to purse seine, drift gillnet, and troll from Sunday, June 15, through Thursday, July 3, 2025. The 2025 gear rotation will be purse seine on Sundays and Thursdays, drift gillnet on Fridays, and troll on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Details of the 2025 Southeast Cove THA fishing schedule and area were announced in a separate ADF&G advisory announcement released on April 29.

In 2025, cost recovery will occur in the Southeast Cove THA beginning Monday, July 7.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

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Central Region

Bristol Bay

Inseason Harvest Information

The 2025 Bristol Bay sockeye salmon run is forecasted to be approximately 51.4 million fish. Based on the forecast and using the mid-points of the lower or upper portion of escapement goal ranges, depending on forecasted run size, 34.8 million fish are potentially available for commercial inshore harvest. The department manages fisheries based on inseason information regarding abundance. The inseason management approach uses a suite of assessment tools to provide information on abundance in each district as each run develops. This information is then used by the department to determine fishing opportunity.

The commercial salmon season in Bristol Bay opens June 1 by regulation.

Bristol Bay Fisheries Collaborative (BBFC)

Togiak District

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

The 2025 inshore run of Togiak River sockeye salmon is forecast to be approximately 1.0 million fish with a potential surplus of 750,000 fish (Table 1). The escapement goal range is 120,000 to 270,000 sockeye salmon. Approximately 67% of the run is expected to be age 1.3; 31% is expected to be age 1.2; 2% is expected to be ages 2.2 and 2.3.

Unlike other fishing districts in Bristol Bay that require emergency orders to announce fishing periods, the Togiak District follows a regular weekly schedule that allows fishing in the Togiak Bay Section four days per week, fishing in the Kulukak Section two and a half days per week, and fishing in the Matogak, Osviak, and Cape Peirce Sections five days per week. Following the Registration and Reregistration regulations, permit holders are restricted from fishing in the Togiak District until the mid-point of the Togiak River escapement goal has been achieved, as announced by the department, if they have fished in any other district in Bristol Bay. Conversely, permit holders are restricted from fishing in any other district until the mid-point of the Togiak River escapement goal has been achieved, as announced by the department, if they have fished in the Togiak District. Regulation 5AAC 06.370 requires vessel transfers to be restricted in the Togiak District, similarly to the restriction of permit transfers. Regulation also prevents drift gillnet fishing effort near the Togiak River mouth through July 15 and restricts mesh size to 5.5 inches or smaller between June 15 and July 15 to conserve king salmon.

2025 Bristol Bay Commercial Salmon Fishing Outlook

Effort continues to build in Togiak. The total harvest is 12,000, 3,200 of which came on Thursday. The counting tower is planned to deploy next week and hopefully be counting by Jully 7. It is likely we will extend fishing through the weekend next week.

Nushagak District

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

Escapement information is now available from Wood, Igushik and Nushagak rivers. Nushagak River sockeye salmon is continuing on a very record strong pace with over 1.8 million past the counter through June 26. The king salmon escapement is lagging expectations at only 19,058 fish. Wood River escapement passed 1.1 million yesterday and the Wood River Special Harvest Area opened this morning. Igushik escapement is off to a very good start with 51,000 past the tower through June 26. Counts started at 0800 on June 25.

Harvest in the district is at 2.9 million with 407,000 of that coming on June 26. June 25 was a very strong harvest of over 1.2 million.

We continue to take breaks with all gear out of the water to provide passage opportunity for king salmon.

Naknek-Kvichak District

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

On June 26, the Naknek River escapement was 9,000 sockeye. The count from midnight to 6:00 a.m. this morning was 16,000 for a total escapement of 112,000. The Kvichak River escapement on June 26 was 12,000 sockeye for a total of 21,000. The Kvichak inriver estimate is 30,000. Harvest on June 26 was an estimated 250,000 fish. The Naknek Section will open to drift gillnet gear for a 6-hour period from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, June 27. The Naknek-Kvichak District will open to set gillnet gear for a 6-hour period from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, June 27.

Egegik District

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

The Egegik District has had daily openers since Sunday June 22. Friday, June 27 will be the first time fishing two tides a day. Egegik River escapement is at 135,000 sockeye which is average for the date. The Egegik District has 180 vessels registered and allocation is currently skewed towards the set net fleet. A drift-only opener was announced for Friday, June 27th in an attempt to balance it closer to regulation. Current harvest in the Egegik District is 730,000 sockeye, which is average for the date historically, but slightly below the recent 5-year average.

Ugashik District

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

The Ugashik District ended its preseason fishing schedule at 9:00 am Wednesday June 25. The next opener will depend on escapement indicators. Ugashik River tower started counting Friday, June 27. Ugashik District harvest is currently 575,000 sockeye, which is well above average for the date.

Copper River and PWS Drift Gillnet

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

The Copper River District was open for 24-hour fishing periods on Monday, June 23 and Thursday, June 26. There have been 198 hours of fishing time in the Copper River District during the 2025 season. The Bering River District is being managed on the same schedule as the Copper River District. The Coghill District opened for a 60-hour fishing period starting Monday, June 23 and an 60-hour fishing period starting Thursday, June 26. The Eshamy District opened for a 12-hour fishing period starting on Monday, June 23 and is expected to remain closed until Monday, June 30. The Port Chalmers Subdistrict opened for a 60-hour fishing period starting Monday, June 23, and an 84-hour fishing period starting Thursday, June 26.

The Miles Lake field camp was deployed on Wednesday, May 7. Sonar monitoring of Copper River sockeye and king salmon passage at the outlet of Mile Lake is ongoing. Currently, north bank and south bank sonar is deployed 24 hours per day. A total of 529,638 salmon have been enumerated to date versus a cumulative management objective of 384,824 salmon.

Based on the recent poor Chinook salmon production, a conservative management approach has been implemented so far this season. During the Monday, June 23 and Thursday, June 26 fishing periods the Copper River District fishery was open for shorter duration fishing periods than sockeye salmon abundance and fishing effort dictated in an effort to reduce Chinook salmon harvest. The drift gillnet gear group has exclusive access to the Port Chalmers Subdistrict chum salmon fishery in 2025.

The 2025 Copper River District sockeye salmon commercial harvest forecast is 1.92 million fish, and the coho salmon commercial harvest 10-year average (2015–2024) is 182,000. The Copper River Chinook salmon total run forecast (36,000 fish) is 25% below the 10-year (2015–2024) average (48,000 fish). The 2025 sockeye salmon harvest forecast is 2.3 times the 10-year (2015–2024) average of 824,000 fish. The recent 10-year average (2015–2024) commercial harvests for the Bering River District are 11,100 sockeye and 52,300 coho salmon. The commercial fishery in Port Chalmers has a harvest forecast of 780,000 chum salmon. The 2025 sockeye salmon run to Main Bay Hatchery (MBH) is forecast to be 1.00 million fish. PWSAC anticipates utilizing 275,000 (27%) sockeye salmon for cost recovery and broodstock, leaving 728,000 (73%) fish available for harvest. The chum salmon run to Wally Noerenberg Hatchery (WNH) is forecast to be 1.45 million fish. PWSAC anticipates utilizing 948,000 (65%) chum salmon for cost recovery and broodstock, leaving 502,000 (35%) fish available for harvest. PWSAC projects the 2025 run to WNH to be 6,000 coho salmon, requiring 2,400 fish for broodstock, with all remaining fish (3,600) available for harvest. The wild stock sockeye salmon commercial harvest 10-year average (2015–2025) in Unakwik Inlet is 7,600 fish.

The Copper River District cumulative sockeye salmon harvest to date is 405,790 fish and, based on the forecast and recent historical run timing, the anticipated harvest for this period is 1.34 million fish. The Chinook salmon cumulative harvest to date in the Copper River District commercial fishery is 4,797 fish compared to a recent 10-year (2015-2024) average 12,000 fish over the same period. The Coghill District cumulative harvest to date is 124,885 chum salmon and is well behind harvest levels in recent years. The Eshamy District sockeye salmon cumulative harvest to date is 40,628 sockeye salmon and is low for this stage of the run timing curve for this stock. The Port Chalmers Subdistrict remote release enhanced chum salmon fishery cumulative harvest to date is 849,887 chum salmon and is tracking ahead of harvest levels in recent years.

Break-up of the Copper River was early this year and river water levels are low for this date.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Prince William Sound and Copper River Management Area.

Prince William Sound Purse Seine

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

The 2025 pink salmon total run forecast for PWS is 66.70 million fish, with a potential commercial harvest of 56.12 million fish. Chum salmon is expected to make up a smaller proportion of the purse seine harvest, and the forecast is composed of a forecasted AFK hatchery return of 210,000 fish and a wild stock forecast of 443,000 fish.

Currently, the only area open to commercial purse seine fishing is the AFK THA/SHA, where there is a terminal enhanced chum salmon return. Harvest since the last update, from the three fishing periods occurring on 6/20, 6/22, and 6/25, was 96,100 chum salmon, from 114 deliveries. Cumulative harvest to date is 214,000 chum salmon.

The fishing schedule at AFK is three periods per week. The progress of hatchery cost recovery and trends in wild stock escapement will determine additional purse seine commercial fishing opportunities.

Test fishing for VFDA pink salmon cost recovery has begun, and test set harvest is increasing. It is anticipated that cost recovery will begin next week. There have been increasing signs of wild pink and chum salmon entering PWS. The third aerial survey of the Eastern District and a portion of the Northern District was flown on Thursday, June 26, and chum and pink salmon were observed staging in bays, with some chum escapement into streams. Otolith contribution estimates from the Port Chalmers drift gillnet show that wild and SGH pink salmon stocks are entering PWS. The next aerial survey evaluating wild stock escapement will occur early next week.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Prince William Sound and Copper River Management Area.

Upper Cook Inlet

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

There are four commercial fisheries currently underway this week in Upper Cook Inlet (UCI).

  1. Big River Fishery (statistical areas 245-55 & 246-10): Monday/Wednesday/Friday –12-hour fishing periods; 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  2. Western Subdistrict Set Gillnet Fishery: Monday/Thursday –12-hour periods; 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  3. Drift Gillnet Fishery: Monday/Thursday –12-hour fishing periods; 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  4. Upper Subdistrict dip net fishery; Monday through Friday 12–hour periods 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Total harvest from the Big River commercial fishery is below average for sockeye salmon and significantly below average for king salmon. Cumulative harvest to date is 3,910 sockeye and zero king salmon. The 10-year average cumulative harvest through June 26 is approximately 309 king salmon and 11,346 sockeye salmon. The 5-year average harvest is approximately 287 king salmon and 13,341 sockeye salmon. The last period of this fishery was Monday, June 23rd.

Total harvest from the Western Subdistrict commercial fishery is below average for sockeye salmon and significantly below average for king salmon. The cumulative harvest for the Western subdistrict is 1,504 sockeye and zero king salmon. The 10-year average total harvest through June 26 is approximately 29 king salmon and 2,550 sockeye salmon. The 5-year average harvest is approximately 14 king salmon and 2,800 sockeye salmon.

The drift gillnet fleet began fishing July 19th in State of Alaska waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of UCI. Total harvest from both drift gillnet commercial fisheries is above average for sockeye salmon and significantly below average for king salmon. Cumulative harvest from both fisheries to date is 2 king salmon and 6,289 sockeye salmon. The 10-year average total harvest through June 26 is approximately 20 king salmon and 4,351 sockeye salmon. The 5-year average harvest is approximately 7 king salmon and 3,176 sockeye salmon.

The Upper Subdistrict dip net fishery began on June 20th. The cumulative harvest to date for the Upper Subdistrict dip net fishery is 1,741 sockeye and zero king salmon. This fishery was established in 2024; there is not enough historical data to compare this year’s harvest against. Permit holders are averaging 87 sockeye salmon harvested per delivery.

The season opening dates in 2025 for the various fisheries are as follows:

  • Upper Subdistrict Set Gillnet Fishery: The ESSN fishery will begin closed (EO # 2-F-H-2-25) and may only open if Kenai late-run king salmon projections indicate achievement of the recovery goal of 14,250 large (>75cm mid eye to tail fork) fish. If inseason projections of large king salmon indicate the recovery goal will be achieved, then fishing opportunity will be reassessed and may be opened following provisions in the Kenai River Late-run King Salmon Stock of Concern Management Plan (5 AAC 21.382).

In 2025, a run of approximately 6.9 million sockeye salmon is forecast to return to Upper Cook Inlet (UCI) with an estimate of 4.9 million available for harvest (commercial, sport, personal use, and subsistence).

General Information

The UCI commercial fisheries information line will again be available by calling 262-9611. The most recent EO announcement is always available on the recorded message line and catch, escapement and test fishing information is included whenever possible. The same recording may be accessed at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareauci.main and clicking on the UCI Commercial Fisheries Information Recording player.

All EO announcements are also faxed or emailed to processors as quickly as possible and posted at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyareauci.salmon. For very general information, we invite you to visit the Commercial Fisheries web page on the Internet at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingCommercial.main.

Please see the 2022 Upper Cook Inlet Salmon Fishing Outlook (PDF 589 kB) for more information on fishing strategies.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Upper Cook Inlet Management Area.

Lower Cook Inlet

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

Eastern District

Cost recovery harvest of returning Trail Lakes Hatchery sockeye salmon from the Bear Lake release site began on May 26 and concluded in saltwater on June 20. Cost recovery harvest at the Bear Creek weir is ongoing. Through June 24 approximately 10,500 hatchery produced sockeye have been harvested. Over the past 10 years, approximately 87% of the final harvest has occurred by this date. The cost recovery goal for this return in 2025 is 64,200 fish. Commercial common property purse seine salmon harvest in Resurrection Bay opened on a schedule of Monday through Friday 6AM to 10PM openings with a closure on the July 4th holiday.

The weir at Bear Creek in Resurrection Bay has been in operation for several weeks. Through June 24, a total of 9,917 sockeye salmon have been counted at the Bear Creek weir. This is within the anticipated range for this date (4,346 – 10,746 fish) to achieve passage into the lake that meet both broodstock and wild stock escapement objectives.

Southern District

Cumulative harvest from the first seven set gillnet fishing periods was 71 Chinook, 2,766 sockeye, and 562 chum salmon. Cumulative harvest last year from the first seven fishing periods was 77 Chinook, 3,845 sockeye, and 153 chum salmon. The previous 5-year harvest average from these seven periods combined was 163 Chinook, 5,519 sockeye, and 324 chum salmon.

Portions of the Southern District opened to commercial purse seine salmon harvest on Monday, June 9 on a schedule of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 16-hour fishing periods beginning at 6:00 AM on those days. Through Wednesday, June 25 preliminary cumulative commercial common property seine harvest is estimated at 2,200 sockeye, 30 chum, and 2 Chinook salmon.

Kamishak District

Video monitoring of sockeye salmon escapement into Chenik Lake began on June 12. Through Thursday, June 26 a total of 3 fish have been counted entering this lake. Preliminary estimates of sockeye salmon passage into Chenik Lake are posted here: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=commercialbyarealci.salmon#fishcounts The sustainable escapement goal range for Chenik Lake is 2,900 – 13,700 fish.

The Chenik Subdistrict and all remaining areas of the Kamishak District remain closed until further notice.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Lower Cook Inlet Management Area.

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Westward Region

Kodiak

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

The Alitak District, Northwest Afognak, Pauls Bay, and Perenosa sections of the Afognak District, Eastside Kodiak District, and the Big River and Outer Kukak Bay Sections of the Mainland District opened to commercial salmon fishing at noon Saturday, June 21 for 33 hours.

The initial commercial fishing openings for hatchery chum and sockeye salmon in the Inner Kitoi Bay, Outer Kitoi Bay, Duck Bay, and Izhut Bay Sections of the Afognak District, as well as the Foul Bay Special Harvest Area opened at noon on Monday, June 9, and remains open until further notice.

In response to the recent record-low Chinook salmon escapements in the Karluk River, commercial salmon fishing in the Inner Karluk and Outer Karluk Sections of the Southwest Kodiak District, the Northwest Kodiak District, and the Southwest Afognak Section of the Afognak District will remain closed from June 1 through July 5. Fishing will resume only after the Karluk River’s early-run sockeye salmon escapement goal of 150,000 to 250,000 fish is exceeded.

In response to the recent record-low Chinook salmon escapements in the Ayakulik River, commercial salmon fishing in the Inner Ayakulik, Outer Ayakulik, and Halibut Bay Sections of the Southwest Kodiak District will remain closed from June 1 through July 15. Fishing will resume only after the Ayakulik River’s early-run sockeye salmon escapement goal of 140,000 to 280,000 fish is exceeded.

In the Southwest Kodiak District, the cumulative Karluk River's early-run sockeye salmon escapement through June 26 is 60,721 fish, which is below the target range for this date. Additionally, only 25 Chinook salmon have escaped, marking a record low for the Karluk River.

In the Southwest Kodiak District, the cumulative Ayakulik River's early-run sockeye salmon escapement through June 26 is 192,796 fish, which is well above the target range for this date. Additionally, only 281 Chinook salmon have escaped, marking a near record low for the Ayakulik River.

In the Alitak District, the cumulative Upper Station early run sockeye salmon escapement through June 26 totals 67,871 fish, within with the target escapement range for this date. The cumulative Dog Salmon River escapement through June 19 is 14,091 fish, below with the target escapement range for this date.

In the Afognak District, the cumulative Afognak Lake (Litnik) sockeye salmon escapement through June 26 totals 11,958 fish, below the target escapement range for this date.

In the Northeast Kodiak District, the cumulative Buskin Lake sockeye salmon escapement through June 26 totals 6,957 fish, above the target escapement range for this date.

In the Eastside Kodiak District, the cumulative Pasagshak Lake sockeye salmon escapement through June 26 totals 589 fish. The Saltery Lake sockeye salmon weir total escapement through June 26 is 596 fish.

There is currently little or no early information on sockeye runs at Kaflia, Swikshak, Miam, Uganik, Little River, Malina, Long Lagoon, Thorsheim, Perenosa Bay, Pauls Bay, Akalura, Horse Marine, and other minor sockeye salmon systems.

As of June 22, approximately 58,659 sockeye salmon have been harvested in the Kodiak Area, which is below average. Approximately 118,662 chum salmon have been harvested in the Kodiak Area, which is above average.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Kodiak Management Area.

North Peninsula

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

Currently, the Nelson Lagoon and Port Moller Bight Sections are open until 11:59 pm Thursday, July 3. The Ilnik Section opened on June 20th at 6:00 am and is scheduled to close at 6:00 pm on June 28th. The OPH Section was open for 60 hours, starting on Monday, June 23, at 6:00 a.m. and continuing until Wednesday, June 25.

Deployment of the Northern District weirs and field camps (Bear, Ilinik, and Nelson River) started on Tuesday, May 27, and finished on June 10. The Ilnik Weir was installed on June 6, and the Nelson and Bear River weirs were installed on June 10.

As of June 26, escapement at the Ilnik River weir has been below average with only 17,377 sockeye having passed the weir below the ten-year average of 39,500 fish for the date; escapement at the Bear River weir has been below average with 25,821 sockeye having passed the weir so far below the ten-year average of 37,000 fish for the date; and escapement at the Nelson River weir has been strong and early with 132,645 sockeye having passed the weir so far above the ten-year average of 15,331 fish for the date. This is the second-largest return of sockeye to the Nelson River for the date in 20 years.

Due to budget constraints, the Sandy River weir will not be operational for the 2025 season.

The following survey of the Meshik River is expected to be conducted on June 27th. Two surveys conducted on June 18 and June 19 showed a below-average amount of sockeye for the date.

Commercial fisheries began on the North Peninsula on June 16th within the Nelson Lagoon and Port Moller Bight sections; participation in these areas is comparable to that of recent years. The Ilnik section opened on June 20 with about 80 vessels participating, which is above average for the date.

Fishing just started in the Northern District, so it is too early to determine how it will compare to the recent 10-year or 5-year averages. Still, harvest within Nelson Lagoon Section has been strong this week compared to recent years, with 35,000 sockeye caught from June 23 to June 26.

Within the Ilnik section, approximately 134,000 sockeye have been caught since it opened on June 20, which is a better harvest during this period than in 2023 and 2024. Harvest in the OPH Section for Monday, June 23rd, through Wednesday, June 25th, was approximately 60k sockeye, which was similar to the first OPH period in 2024 of 65k fish.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Alaska Peninsula Management Area webpage.

South Peninsula

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

The final commercial salmon fishing period in June for set gillnet and drift gillnet began at 6:00 a.m. on June 25 for 88 hours. The final commercial fishing period in June for purse seine began at 8 a.m. on June 25 for 88 hours. The next commercial fishing period will not begin until July 6. Commercial fishing for purse seine in the Shumagin Islands will be contingent on the outcome of the immature test fishery that will take place from July 2, 3, and 5. Additional test fish days will occur if test fish days exceeds 100 immature salmon per set.

No aerial surveys have been flown yet, which is normal for this time of year. There is one salmon enumeration weir operated in the South Alaska Peninsula Management Area, the Orzinski Weir. To date, Orzinski River weir has passed 785 sockeye salmon. This level of escapement is earlier than the recent 10 years. It is still too early to determine the strength of this run.

The 2025 South Alaska Peninsula post-June harvest estimate is 10.6 million pink salmon, and the total run estimate is 14.6 million fish. ADF&G will manage the commercial fishery according to the June and post-June schedules through July 31, after which time the commercial salmon fishing periods will be based upon strength of local pink and chum salmon stocks.

The 2025 forecast for the estimated total harvest of Chignik River sockeye salmon is 757,000 fish (Appendix A2). ADF&G will manage the fisheries so that the number of sockeye salmon harvested in CMA, for both runs combined, will be at least 600,000 fish and the harvest of sockeye salmon considered to be Chignik bound in the SEDM will approach, as near as possible, 7.6% of the total CMA sockeye salmon harvest through July 25.

Participation appears to be lower than normal, and the harvest is below the 10-year average at this point in the season. Overall, the sockeye to chum ratio has been relatively high with occasional periods of high chum abundance. To avoid fishing locations of high chum abundance, the fleet communicates area specific closures through a web portal during times of high abundance.

Sockeye salmon harvest of 397,044 is below the recent 5-year average of 510,319 fish and the 10-year average of 1,412,070 fish.

Pink salmon harvest of 98,622 fish is below the recent 10-even year average of 1,859,490 fish.

Chum salmon harvest of 133,867 fish is below the recent 5-year average of 547,842 fish and the 10-year average of 410,581 fish.

Chinook and coho catches are relatively low, which is normal for this time of year.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Alaska Peninsula Management Area webpage.

Chignik

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

The 2025 Chignik sockeye salmon harvest forecast is weak, with a harvest forecast estimate of 757,000 sockeye. Of this, 243,000 fish are estimated to be Chignik early run sockeye salmon and 441,000 fish Chignik late run sockeye salmon. The early run has a total run estimate of 593,000 fish with an optimal escapement goal (OEG) of 300,000–400,000 while the late run has a total run estimate of 741,000 fish with an OEG of 240,000–360,000.

The Chignik weir was operational May 27 with counts starting on May 28. Through June 26, 190,842 sockeye salmon have passed through the weir. No other salmon species have been observed through the weir yet. So far the Chignik early run sockeye appear to be on time and weak, though escapement is the highest it has been for the date since 2018. Two 48-hour commercial fishing openers have occurred so far. The first started 10 p.m. Friday June 20th and occurred in all districts of the Chignik Management Area (CMA). The second commercial salmon fishing opener started at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 24 and occurred in all districts of the CMA except for the Perryville District. Non-Confidential harvest so far is 1 Chinook, 90,589 sockeye, 35 coho, 27 pink, and 788 chum salmon. The majority of harvest has occurred in the Chignik Bay District with 78,320 sockeye salmon harvest.

Beginning July 1 additional restrictions will go into effect. Fishing in the Chignik Bay District will be limited to 48-hours per week in order to protect Chinook Salmon. Additionally, if more than 1,000 Chinook salmon are caught within a 48-hour period, the districts primarily responsible will be closed for one week.

For Advisory Announcements detailing the specific information related to the fishery visit the Advisory Announcements webpage.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Chignik Management Area webpage.

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Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim (AYK) Region

Yukon River

Last updated: Friday, May 16, 2025

No commercial salmon fishing is anticipated in either the summer or fall seasons of the Yukon River in 2025. The drainagewide Chinook salmon run is expected to be between 58,000 and 88,000 fish which is below average and unlikely to meet escapement goals. The Canadian-origin portion of the Chinook salmon run is forecast to be 24,000 to 37,000 fish, which is well below the U.S./Canada border passage objective of 71,000 fish. The drainagewide summer chum salmon forecast is for a run size of 1,100,000 fish, with a range of 550,000 to 1,800,000 fish. The drainagewide fall chum salmon forecast is for a run size of 218,000 fish, with a range of 114,000 to 322,000 fish. There is a large amount of uncertainty in the chum salmon forecasts given the recent salmon declines, the small size of the parent years from 2020 and 2021 and the uncertainty associated with recent year sibling relationships. For fall chum salmon it is unlikely any of the escapement goals will be achieved. The coho salmon run is anticipated to be below average as the parent year was record low.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Yukon Management Area.

Kuskokwim River

Last updated: Friday, May 16, 2025

The 2025 Kuskokwim River Chinook salmon forecast is for a range of 132,000 –217,000 fish. The drainage-wide Chinook salmon escapement goal is 65,000 –120,000 fish. If the run comes back as projected, the drainagewide escapement and tributary goals are expected to be achieved and surplus above escapement will be available to support a limited to normal subsistence harvest. The chum salmon run is expected to meet the escapement goal with a near average run and support normal subsistence harvest. The sockeye salmon is expected to come in above average, meet all escapement goals and support the full amounts necessary for subsistence harvest. The coho salmon run is expected to be an average run, to meet escapement goals and support normal subsistence harvest. The 2025 season will be managed in accordance with the Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Plan (5 AAC 07.365) with input from the Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Working Group. It is the intent of the department that all Kuskokwim River salmon stocks shall be managed in a conservative manner consistent with the Policy for the Management of Sustainable Salmon Fisheries under 5 AAC 39.222 to meet escapement goals and the subsistence priority. There are currently no registered commercial fishery buyers for the 2025 season in the Kuskokwim Management Area.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Kuskokwim Management Area.

Norton Sound

Last updated: Friday, June 27, 2025

The initial commercial salmon fishery in Norton Sound was scheduled for 24-hours in Subdistricts 1-3, the Nome, Golovin, and Elim Subdistricts, on Wednesday, June 25. Effort was minimal in all Subdistricts and the harvest will be included in future updates.

Escapement project throughout Norton Sound have started to come online with counts being recorded at the Pilgrim, Eldorado, Niukluk, Kwiniuk, Ungalik, and North Rivers. Escapement counts have been minimal to date. Water levels have been lower this season than in the past several seasons due to low snowpack and a stretch of dry weather throughout the spring.

In the Port Clarence District, the commercial fishery is expected to remain closed because of a continued lack of market interest.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Norton Sound & Kotzebue Management Area.

Kotzebue

Last updated: Friday, May 16, 2025

The outlook for the 2025 season is based on the parent-year returns and returning age classes observed in the commercial catch samples in 2024. During the 2024 season, the salmon return was weak and the 2025 return is expected to mirror that weakness to some extent with the 4-year-old component near average percentage of harvest based on the previous season’s 3-year-old return. The 5-year-old component of the run is expected to be above average percentage of the harvest based on the 4-year-old return last season. The 3-year-old and 6-year-old age classes are generally minimal components of the run and not expected to influence overall harvest significantly. The commercial harvest is expected to fall within the range of 50,000 to 150,000 chum salmon.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Norton Sound & Kotzebue Management Area.

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