Area Sport Fishing Reports
Bristol Bay
Based on inseason information from anglers and guides, inriver king salmon abundance appeared to be below average with the run appearing to be slightly late and fishing generally being below average. Effort appeared to be near average.
No management actions were implemented during the 2023 sport fishery season.
Inseason reports from anglers and guides indicated a below average inriver abundance of king salmon with the run appearing to be slightly late and fishing generally being below average. Effort appeared to be near average..
On July 4, 2023, prohibited sport fishing between ADF&G regulatory markers posted near the Alagnak River counting towers during operation of the Alagnak River salmon enumeration project.
The preliminary estimate of king salmon passing the Portage Creek sonar was 31,499 salmon. King salmon are managed to achieve an inriver return of 95,000 fish, to provide for a sustainable escapement goal (SEG) of 55,000 - 120,000 spawning salmon.
Commercial, sport, and subsistence catch information indicated slightly late run timing with a return that was well below the historical average. Approximately 6,847 king salmon were harvested in the Nushagak district commercial fishery. Harvest estimates for the sport and subsistence fisheries are not currently available. Reports from creel staff, anglers, guides, and subsistence users suggest a low abundance. Effort appeared to be near recent averages.
On July 7, 2023, the bag and possession limits for king salmon, 20 inches or greater in length, were reduced to one fish with an annual limit of two, only one of which may be 28 inches or greater in length in the Nushagak-Mulchatna River drainage.
On July 13, 2023, retention of king salmon of any size and the use of bait were prohibited in the Nushagak-Mulchatna River drainage.
Based on inseason reports from anglers, guides, and subsistence users, inriver king salmon abundance was below average with the run appearing to be near average timing. Fishing success was generally below average for the duration of the run from late June through late July. Effort appeared to be well below historical averages and can likely be attributed to new regulations going into effect this season that restrict harvest and area available for king salmon fishing.
No management actions were implemented during the 2023 sport fishery season.
The sockeye salmon escapement was within the Sustainable Escapement Goal (SEG) range of 800,000 - 2.0 million fish for the Naknek River with an estimate of 1,156,206 million salmon.
No management actions were implemented during the 2023 sport fishery season.
The sockeye salmon escapement was within the SEG range of 2.0 - 10.0 million fish for the Kvichak River with an estimate of 3,751,686 million salmon.
No management actions were implemented during the 2023 sport fishery season.
The sockeye salmon escapement exceeded the lower bound SEG of 320,000 minimum fish with an estimate of 1,099,050 million salmon.
On July 4, 2023, an emergency order was issued restricting sport fishing between ADF&G regulatory markers posted near the Alagnak River counting towers during operation of the Alagnak River salmon enumeration project.
On July 12, 2023, the bag and possession limits for sockeye salmon were increased to ten fish in all waters of the Alagnak River drainage.
The sockeye salmon escapement exceeded the SEG range of 370,000 - 900,000 fish with an estimate of 1,772,676 million salmon.
On June 30, 2023, the bag and possession limits for sockeye salmon were increased to 10 fish in all waters of the Nushagak-Mulchatna drainage.
The sockeye salmon escapement exceeded the SEG range of 700,000 - 1.8 million fish with an estimate of 2,648,616 million salmon.
On June 30, 2023, the bag and possession limits for sockeye salmon were increased to 10 fish in all waters of the Wood River drainage.
The sockeye salmon escapement was within the SEG range of 120,000 - 270,000 fish with an estimate of 268,218 salmon.
No management actions were implemented during the 2023 sport fishery season.
Coho Salmon
Based on reports from creel staff, anglers, and guides, inriver abundance of coho salmon was average for the duration of the run from late July through early September, with the peak occurring during mid-August. Effort appeared to be near average.
No management actions were implemented during the 2023 sport fishery season.
Sport and subsistence catch information indicated an average return during 2023. Approximately 7,098 coho salmon were harvested in the commercial fishery in the Nushagak district. Harvest estimates for the sport and subsistence fisheries are not available; however, angler, guide, and subsistence user reports suggest an average harvest in the sport and subsistence fisheries. Effort appeared to be near average.
No management actions were implemented during the 2023 sport fishery season.
Based on reports from anglers and guides, inriver abundance was good for the duration of the run from early August through mid-September. Effort appeared to be near average.
No management actions were implemented during the 2023 sport fishery season.