Upper Cook Inlet Commercial Fishing Announcement #1 was issued earlier this week, restricting the hours that the Northern District directed king salmon commercial set gillnet fishery is open from twelve to six hours. This year, the fishery will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and only on Mondays.
The fishing dates impacted by the change are May 31, June 7, 14, and 21.
Also impacted are commercial set gillnet salmon fishing in waters of the Northern District of Upper Cook Inlet, from the wood chip dock to the Susitna River during the 2021 king salmon fishing season. All Northern District waters will be open for the regular salmon fishing season from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, starting June 28.
The Upper Cook Inlet sockeye salmon forecast was also revealed. They estimate a total run of 4.37 million, escapement of two million, and a harvest of 2.37 million. The run forecast for the Kenai River is roughly 1.3 million less, that’s 36%, than the 20-year average run of 3.61 million.
