(Dillingham) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is increasing the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon to 10 fish, with no size limit, in all waters of the Wood River drainage, effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday July, 3 through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, December 31, 2024. The bag and possession limit for other salmon, except king and sockeye salmon, remains at five fish with no size limit. These limits for salmon, other than king and sockeye salmon, are in combination (chum, pink, coho salmon combined to total a bag limit of five fish) with the more liberal limits for sockeye salmon.

The escapement of sockeye salmon in the Wood River has exceeded the escapement goal of 700,000 – 1,800,000 fish. Therefore, it is warranted to increase the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon in the Wood River sport fishery.

“This year’s sockeye run has exceeded the upper end of the escapement goal,” stated Assistant Area Management Biologist Greta Hayden-Pless. “With over two million fish passing the counting tower on the Wood River, we are increasing the opportunity to harvest sockeye salmon in the sport fishery.”

For additional information, please contact Assistant Area Management Biologist Greta Hayden-Pless at (907) 842-2427.