ALASKA BEAT TWEET OF THE MONTH The waters have been murky in recent years for king salmon in Alaska and this summer the state has seen plenty of fishery closures and restrictions. (KATRINA MUELLER/USFWS)
THE (NOT SO GOOD) RETURN OF THE KING I t’s been a far hotter than normal start to summer in Alaska, which has meant dry terrain and plenty of wildfires (more on that later). But summer has also meant a constant barrage of Alaska Department of Fish and Game press releases limiting and often closing king salmon fishing in various sections of the state. Here’s part of a list of restrictions announced this spring and summer: • April 7: King salmon fishing closed on Kuskokwim River • April 13: King salmon fishing closed on Situk River • April 14: King salmon (and chum) fishing closed on Yukon River • April 25: Hatchery king salmon fishing only allowed on Kuskokwim River drainage • May 30: Early-run Kenai River king salmon fishing limited to catch and release • June 15: Copper River king salmon fishing limited to catch and release • June 16: Little Susitna River king salmon fishing closed • June 20: Susitna River king salmon fishing closed • July 11: Chignik River king salmon fishing closed Some of these fisheries reopened on a limited basis, but clearly 2022 is not the year of the king. ADFG biologist Lee Borden, talking about a reduction limit for kings on Bristol Bay’s famed Nushagak-Mulchatna Rivers’ drainage, could have been talking about multiple fisheries in the state when discussing a river in his territory. “This year’s run has fallen behind on the projection curve,” he said. “With the possibility of the escapement goal not being met, we are taking a conservative approach with this restriction to slow down inriver sport harvest.” To keep up with the changes, go to adfg.alaska.gov. Meanwhile, here’s to better days ahead for Alaska’s iconic salmon royalty.
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9.5 BY THE NUMBERS
The asking price for the famed Bristol Bay Lodge in Aleknagik, which went on sale last month for $9.5 million. For more information, check out the listing by Hall and Hall realtors on its website, hallhall.com.
aksportingjournal.com | AUGUST 2022
ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL
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