(Homer) – Consistent with the Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River king salmon sport fishery management plan, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is opening the Anchor River to sport fishing including catch-and-release for king salmon in the lower 2 river miles for the last four days of the Anchor River king salmon season. Fishing is allowed 12:01 a.m. Saturday, June 15 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, June 17 and Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Gear will be restricted to one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure. King salmon may not be retained, must be released immediately, and may not be removed from the water. Deep Creek will remain closed to all sport fishing through June 30 since the king salmon season in regulation ended on June 10. Additionally, the lower two miles of the Anchor River and Deep Creek will open to sport fishing for species other than king salmon on July 1. Gear will be restricted to one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure from July 1 through July 15 in both streams. Sport fishing regulations for other species in the Anchor River and Deep Creek are outlined on pages 60-63 in the Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.

The Anchor River sustainable escapement goal (SEG) was updated in 2023 to 3,200–6,400 king salmon. As of June 11, 846 king salmon have been counted on the Anchor River, which should be approximately 20% of the total run. Based on the recent 3-year run timing, the Anchor River king salmon is projecting a run of approximately 4,300 fish which is within the SEG range.

The Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River king salmon sport fishery management plan was adopted at the November 2023 Alaska Board of Fisheries meeting. This management plan establishes management actions for these streams using preseason forecast and inseason projections of escapement counts. For the Anchor River, if the inseason projection is greater than 3,200 and less than 4,800 king salmon, then the fishery will be open to sport fishing, closed to the retention of king salmon, and gear shall be restricted to only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure.

“The Anchor River king salmon run is looking stronger than expected this season, and is projecting to achieve the escapement goal,” stated Area Management Biologist Mike Booz. “These improved counts over recent years are providing a limited catch-and-release fishing opportunity. Anglers that would want to harvest king salmon can fish the Ninilchik River starting June 16, but the Anchor River is an opportunity to avoid the crowd and catch-and-release king salmon.”

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Mike Booz or Assistant Area Management Biologist Holly Dickson at (907) 235-8191.

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