Northern Chilkat Inlet and sections of the Chilkat River will remain closed to subsistence, sport and commercial fishing through July 31 to protect king salmon returning to spawning beds.
The closure extends from a regulatory marker north of the Letnikof Cove boat ramp to Milepost 19 on Haines Highway and for a one-mile section north of Wells Bridge. The section of river between 19 Mile and Wells Bridge, including Klukwan, remains open.
The northern portion of Chilkat Inlet usually opens to fishing on July 16, and the Chilkat River usually opens after the fourth week of July.
“We’re hoping the additional protection will allow enough kings to reach the spawning grounds for us to reach the escapement goal,” said sport fish biologist Rich Chapell.