(Homer) – In favor of protecting returning king salmon and ensuring fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation restriction in the Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River drainages and marine waters south of the Ninilchik River to Bluff Point effective 12:01 a.m. Monday, April 1 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 15, 2019. A combined annual limit has been established to two king salmon 20 inches or greater in length for fish harvested in the Anchor River, Deep Creek, Ninilchik River, and all marine waters south of the latitude of the mouth of the Ninilchik River (60° 03.99′ N. lat.) to the latitude of Bluff Point (59° 40.00′ N. lat.).

“It is necessary to combine the annual limit in all three streams and marine waters south of the Ninilchik River to Bluff Point in anticipation of increased angler efforts due to conservation efforts implemented on other Cook Inlet king salmon sport fisheries,” stated Area Management Biologist Carol Kerkvliet. “By combining the annual limits for these waters, we hope to increase the chance of mature king salmon making their way to their spawning grounds.”

In conjunction with this closure, sport fishing Emergency Order Number 2-KS-7-11-19, closed the Anchor River to king salmon fishing on the first and fifth opening weekend and the five-Wednesday openings in May and June 2019. The closure dates are May 18-20, May 22, May 29, June 5, June 12, June 15-17, and June 19. Anglers may still fish the Anchor River during the following days; May 25-27, June 1-3, and June 8-10. In addition, sport fishing Emergency Order Number 2-KS-7-12-19, restricted sport fishing gear in the Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River drainages to only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure. Lastly, sport fishing Emergency Order Number 2-KS-7-13-19, restricted the bag and possession limit in the Ninilchik River to one hatchery king salmon and implemented restrictions on the Ninilchik River Youth-Only Fishery.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Carol Kerkvliet at (907) 235-8191.

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