The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is liberalizing existing sport fishing regulations by increasing the sockeye salmon bag and possession limits to 12 fish per day and 12 fish in possession in the Resurrection River and adjacent salt waters of Resurrection Bay.
These regulatory changes are effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 28 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 31, 2023. The area of the bag and possession limit increase includes the fresh waters downstream from the Seward Highway and downstream from Nash Road to the ADF&G regulatory saltwater markers and in the marine waters of Resurrection Bay north of a line from Caines Head to the north point of Thumb Cove.
Anglers are reminded that snagging is not allowed in freshwater. Only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures or flies are allowed in the freshwater area open to salmon fishing. Anglers are reminded to look for the saltwater markers that separate the fresh and saltwater fishing zones in the Resurrection River. For additional information on the Resurrection Bay salt waters and fresh waters, please review pages 78 and 80 of the 2023 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulation Summary booklet.
“Through June 25, 8,035 sockeye salmon have passed the Bear Creek weir and fish are still entering the river,” stated Area Management Biologist Brittany Blain-Roth. “The Bear Lake sustainable escapement goal will be met and the hatchery broodstock requirements are anticipated to be met as 5,000 fish are in the creek, above the fishery. Anglers should be aware that this run will start to taper out in the coming weeks and getting a double limit could take some extra effort.”
Anglers are reminded that commercial fishing may also be occurring in Resurrection Bay over the next few weeks. For additional information on commercial fishing periods, please visit the ADF&G Commercial Salmon Fisheries webpage.