(Anchorage) - Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is reducing the bag and possession limit for coho salmon to a bag and possession limit of one, effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 24 through Tuesday, December 31, 2024 in the Prince William Sound waters excluding the Whittier, Cordova, Valdez, and Chenega Terminal Harvest Areas. For maps of these areas and additional Prince William Sound sport fishing regulations, please review pages 76-79 of the Southcentral sport fishing regulation summary booklet.

“Coho salmon runs appear to be below average. While these fish could be returning later than normal to the area, there are no assessment projects in the area to better inform the performance of these fish and therefore it is necessary to implement restrictions to reduce harvest for future coho salmon runs”, stated Anchorage Area Management Biologist Brittany Blain-Roth.

Bag and possession limits in Whittier, Cordova, and Chenega THAs will remain the same at 6 salmon per day and 12 in possession, of which all can be coho salmon while the remainder of the Prince William Sound (salt and fresh waters) will have a bag and possession limit of 6 salmon, of which only one per day and in possession may be coho salmon. Emergency Order 2-SS-6-52-24 went into effect on Monday, August 19 reducing the bag limit for coho salmon to 3 per day and 6 in possession in the Valdez Terminal Harvest Area. These emergency orders do not affect bag and possession limits in the Copper River Delta streams in Cordova.

For additional information, please contact Brittany Blain-Roth at (907) 267-2186.

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