Preliminary numbers suggest king salmon escapement to the Chilkat River will be the lowest since records have been kept in 1991. This year’s return also marks the third consecutive year the run has missed escapement goals.
The state estimates that between 1,200 and 1,500 mature kings will make it to Chilkat spawning grounds this year. That compares to the state’s goal of returning between 1,850 and 3,600 king salmon to the Chilkat River and its…