Southeast trollers pull in record king salmon catch in January

Despite the rough weather, Southeast trollers recorded a record chinook salmon catch for January in the winter troll fishery, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The January catch totaled 7,200 kings, well above the previous record of 4,800 in 2016.

“I knew it was good but didn’t realize we were that far above the previous high,” said Grant Hagerman, Fish and Game Southeast troll biologist in Sitka.

But “it’s not all roses,” Hagerman said. The fish are smaller on average, and the prices are below the five-year average. “We’re hovering around $9, which is still pretty good, and...