The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has scheduled commercial set and drift openings for Saturday, August 8.
Setnetters in the Kenai, Kasilof, and East Foreland sections will fish from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on Saturday.
Drift netters will open in all waters of the Central District of Upper Cook Inlet normally open to drift gillnetting during those same hours, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
Setnetting also opened in the Kalgin Island Subdistrict of Upper Cook Inlet on Saturday, August 8, 2015, from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm.
The sustainable escapement goal (SEG) for Packer’s Creek sockeye salmon is 15,000–30,000 fish.
A video weir assessment of sockeye salmon escapement into Packers Lake projects a final escapement at or above the upper end of the SEG.
According to 5 AAC 21.370 Packers Creek Sockeye Salmon Management Plan, for the purpose of harvesting Packers Creek sockeye salmon, extra fishing time in the Kalgin Island Subdistrict shall be limited to no more than one additional fishing period per week.
This announcement is in compliance with the Packers Creek Sockeye Salmon Management Plan.
The estimated cumulative passage of sockeye salmon in the Kasilof River through August 6 was approximately 439,000 fish.
The biological escapement goal (BEG) of 160,000–340,000 for Kasilof River sockeye salmon has been exceeded.
The cumulative sockeye salmon passage estimate in the Kenai River through August 6, was approximately 1,105,000 fish.
The inriver goal for Kenai River sockeye salmon runs of 2,300,000 –4,600,000 fish is 1,000,000 to 1,200,000 fish.
The current estimate of passage in the Kenai River through August 6 indicates the inriver goal will be exceeded.
