Alaska Department of Fish and Game this week doubled sockeye sportfish limits in the Chilkoot River.
Effective Friday, Aug. 3, fishermen can harvest 12 sockeye per day and have 12 sockeye in possession.
Through Tuesday, 95,000 reds had passed Chilkoot weir, 9,000 more than the upper end of Fish and Game’s target escapement range of 86,000 reds.
Sportfish biologist Rich Chapell said because of bear activity along the river, anglers are reminded to dispose of guts and carcasses in deep, flowing water, to secure fish in a bear-proof container such as a car (not a cooler on the riverbank) and to stop fishing when bears approach within 100 yards.
At that distance, fishermen who’ve hooked fish should cut their lines, he said.