(Southwest Alaska) - In support of increasing harvest opportunities, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is increasing the bag and possession limits for salmon to 10 fish in the Nelson (Sapsuk) River drainage all of which can be sockeye salmon but only 5 may be chum, pink or coho salmon, 20 inches or greater in length. Anglers may not harvest more than 10 salmon per day or possess more than 10 total salmon, all species combined. This regulatory change is effective 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, July 16 through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, December 31, 2024.

Through July 14, a total of 575,902 sockeye salmon have passed the Nelson River weir. The escapement goal for sockeye salmon into Nelson River is 97,000 to 219,000 fish and the run has already exceeded the goal.

“The Nelson River is having one of the largest sockeye salmon runs on record and weir counts are well above the 10-year average. The run has exceeded the escapement goal already with several weeks of the run left to go,” stated Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum. “Increasing the bag limit to 10 sockeye salmon per day will provide anglers additional harvest opportunity.”

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

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