ADF&G opens six Kodiak sections to commercial fishing, bans large Chinook retention

Alaska Department of Fish and Game opened commercial salmon fishing in six Kodiak sections at noon June 9, 2026, while maintaining a prohibition on retaining large Chinook salmon. Purse seine operators faced the same restrictions in 2025.

The openings cover the Alitak District, Inner and Outer Kitoi Bay sections, Duck Bay, Izhut Bay, and Foul Bay Special Harvest Area. Additional area-specific periods are expected to follow until further notice. Purse seine gear operators may not retain Chinook salmon 28 inches or greater and must release them unharmed.

Background

Kodiak's commercial fishery operates under king salmon restrictions, with ADF&G closing the Karluk River drainage to all king salmon fishing after only 93 Chinook were counted in the system. Alaska News previously covered the Karluk decline and the resulting bag-limit cuts for sport fishers.

The Inner and Outer Karluk Sections of the Southwest Kodiak District, the Northwest Kodiak District, and the Southwest Afognak Section remain closed through July 5. The Inner and Outer Ayakulik Sections are closed through July 15. Both closures stem from low king salmon escapements in those systems.

The Karluk River has an early-run sockeye salmon escapement goal of 150,000 to 250,000 fish. The Ayakulik River's early-run sockeye escapement goal is 140,000 to 280,000 fish.

The Chinook retention ban applies to all purse seine operations in the Kodiak Area, including the Mainland District. The openings follow ADF&G's standard June start for Kodiak's commercial salmon season, but the geographic scope is narrower than in years before the Karluk and Ayakulik systems experienced low Chinook returns.

ADF&G's Kodiak office can be reached for questions about the restrictions and opening schedules.