Chitina dipnet and Glennallen subsistence fisheries stay open through Sept. 30 after below-average Copper River run

Copper River dipnetters and Glennallen Subdistrict subsistence fishers can fish through Sept. 30. The Chitina Subdistrict personal use dip net fishery closes at 11:59 p.m. that Wednesday, and no emergency orders currently restrict the Glennallen subsistence fishery.

Miles Lake sonar counting ended July 28 on what the Alaska Department of Fish and Game calls a below-average run. Through July 27 it counted 568,413 fish, about 5 percent under the pace expected for this year's inriver goal.

ADF&G's July 1 advisory closed the Chitina fishery for the week of July 6 through 12, saying it was "necessary to reduce harvest and increase the likelihood of achieving the Copper River sockeye salmon escapement goal." That goal is 360,000 to 750,000 sockeye at Miles Lake.

Water levels are dropping, and the Chitina flow gauge has been offline since June 15. Upper Copper River king salmon permit holders must still report, even after the Aug. 31 deadline. Chitina personal use hotline: 907-822-5224.