KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
There is finally some good news for sport fishermen in Kodiak in the midst of an otherwise dismal salmon season. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced it is doubling the sockeye salmon bag and possession limit in the Saltery Cove drainage.
According to Fish and Game, the new limits have increased to 10 per day and 10 in possession. The escapement goal for Saltery Cove is 15-thousand to 30-thousand sockeye salmon. Donn Tracy of Fish and Game said that as of Tuesday the weir count was up to about 13-thousand.
The previous bag and possession limits for Saltery Cove were five sockeye salmon per day and five in possession. The new limits went into effect this (Thursday) morning at 12:01 a.m.
— (Sockeye 1 27 sec. "And at that number of fish … in the sport fishery.")
Tracy said the new limits were put in place in an attempt to control escapement into Saltery Creek, which he said has been a problem in the past.
— (Sockeye 2 11 sec. "It looks like we’re going to be … harvest those surplus fish.")
Tracy said some anglers may face a challenge in taking advantage of that opportunity however because of the condition of the road leading to Saltery Cove.
— (Sockeye 3 36 sec. "You need an ATV or … 14 miles or ride a bike.")
Tracy described the increased limits as a bit of good news for sport fishermen in a year when they have suffered due to weak runs elsewhere.
— (Sockeye 4 40 sec. "Especially given the … appears to be real strong.")
