The U.S. Forest Service, under authority delegated by the Federal Subsistence Board, has closed the Stikine River to subsistence fishing for king salmon from May 15 to June 20.
The preseason returns forecast for the Stikine River is 10,000 large king salmon (greater than 28 inches in length), which is far below the spawning escapement goal of 14,000 to 28,000.
This is the ninth year in a row for the federal closure, intended to protect weak returns of the highly prized fish. State and federal fisheries managers are trying to rebuild the run.
The Forest Service announced this year’s closure on April 24.
The closure of the king salmon fishery does not affect Stikine River federal subsistence fisheries for sockeye salmon, scheduled to begin June 21, according to the announcement.
In addition to the federal action, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game continues to restrict state-managed fisheries to reduce the harvest of Stikine River kings.
As has been routine in recent years, the state has closed the waters in front of the Stikine to fishing for kings or any retention of the salmon though July 14.
In 2024, eight of the 11 king salmon stocks in Southeast achieved their spawning escapement goals. However, the Stikine River and Andrews Creek, which feeds into the lower Stikine, did not meet the goals and remain listed as “stocks of management concern” by Fish and Game.
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