The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced today that the sockeye salmon sport fishery in Chilkoot River and Chilkoot Lake will reopen. The sport bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon in the Chilkoot River and Lake will return to six fish effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, August 7, 2024.

Due to a recent surge in the run of sockeye salmon to Chilkoot River and Chilkoot Lake, the department projects the run will be within the escapement goal range (38,000-86,000 fish). Through August 5th, 50,017 sockeye salmon have been counted through the Chilkoot River weir. On average, 73% of the run has passed through the weir by this date. Therefore, restrictions to increase sockeye salmon escapement are no longer needed.

Bag and possession limits for species other than sockeye salmon in the Chilkoot River drainage remain unchanged. The Department reminds anglers that all Chilkoot Lake inlet streams are closed to salmon fishing.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Alex Tugaw at (907)766-3638.

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