Situk River Federal subsistence Chinook Salmon fishery closed

YAKUTAT, Alaska – Yakutat District Ranger Nate Catterson, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, has announced that the Situk River will be closed to the harvest of Chinook Salmon from 12:01 a.m. Sunday, June 1, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, 2025, due to conservation concerns. The use of bait and gillnets is prohibited in the Situk River when fishing for other species during this closure to minimize the incidental mortality of Chinook Salmon. Incidentally caught Chinook Salmon may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has set the biological escapement goal (BEG) for the Situk River drainage at 450-1,050 large (>28 inches) Chinook Salmon. Since 2010, the goal was achieved in 2013, 2014, 2017, 2019-2022, and 2024 only after restrictive management measures were implemented. 2023 was the lowest escapement of Chinook Salmon recorded in the 36 years the weir has been operated at its current location (144 large Chinook Salmon). The total run forecast for 2025 is 750 large fish (SE=250), with a 95% confidence interval of 250-1,250 fish.   Recent trend towards chronic low returns warrants a conservative approach to ensure the BEG is achieved and to allow as many Chinook Salmon as possible to reach the spawning grounds. 

Information about the Federal Subsistence Management Program may be found on the web at www.doi.gov/subsistence or by visiting www.facebook.com/subsistencealaska.

Missing out on the latest Federal subsistence issues? If you’d like to receive emails and notifications on the Federal Subsistence Management Program you may subscribe for regular updates by emailing subsistence@ios.doi.gov.

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