The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has issued an emergency order opening king salmon sport fishing on the Anchor River which goes into effect this coming Saturday, June 13.
The weekend fishery on the Anchor River will be open from 12:01 am June 13 through 11:59 pm Monday, June 15.
The ADF&G stated through June 10 there has already been a cumulative king salmon escapement of 4,074 fish.
The sustainable escapement goal for Anchor River king salmon is 3,800–10,000 fish.
Based on historical numbers, approximately 45% of the run has passed upstream of the weir by this date, meaning the Anchor River king salmon escapement could reach 9,000.
On the other hand, there are indications that the 2015 run timing may be earlier than average.
Either way, the department stated even the most conservative projections using the earliest run timing indicate the spawning escapement will be well within the sustainable escapement goal.
The Emergency Order also opens saltwater sport fishing as of July 1 to areas north of Bluff Point to the Ninilchik River mouth.
The area open to king salmon fishing on the Anchor River remains downstream of the Old Sterling Highway Bridge.
Sport fishing gear is limited to one, unbaited single hook artificial lure.
The combined annual limit of two king salmon 20 inches or greater in length for fish harvested in the Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River and all marine waters south of the mouth of the Ninilchik River to Bluff Point remains in effect through July 15.