If you like to fish for salmon in Skagway, better check the regs.
Effective last Wednesday through July 31, regulations for fishing king salmon in Taiya Inlet north of Taiya Point, have been strengthened.
Between these dates, anglers in the area are allowed to bag and possess two king salmon 28 inches (71.12 centimetres) or larger, said the Alaska department of Fish and Game.
“This is a lower bag limit than in past years,” said Haines/Skagway assistant area biologist Richard Chapell.
“Last year and in previous years, it was three king salmon a day of any size. There was no minimum size, so you were allowed to keep under-28 inch fish in past years.
“It’s a lot less liberal this year, and that’s out of concern for Chilkat kings that are feeding in the Taiya Inlet.”
To allow king salmon to enter Pullen Creek in Skagway for brood stock requirements, keeping fish caught near the mouth of the river is prohibited starting last Wednesday through to August 29.
The prohibited area stretches from a marker on the Railroad Dock to a department marker on the ore Terminal Dock.
King salmon fishing in the fresh waters of Southeast Alaska remains prohibited.
However, once certain brood stock levels have been reached, Pullen Creek may be opened to anglers.
“We’re right on track to meeting that aim,” said Chapell.
Beginning August 1, the bag and possession limit in the Taiya Inlet is 48 inches (121.92 centimetres) with the limit of one fish.
“It’s a big fish, it’s very rare,” said Chapell. “It’s basically lowering the allowed count to zero.”