Chitina dipnet fishery tentatively set for June 10; low rivers and ice flows could delay opening

The Copper and Klutina Rivers are running unusually low for late May, and ice flows from Miles Lake are preventing the sonar crew from conducting full salmon counts; both factors could delay or alter the tentative June 10 opening of the Chitina Personal Use fishery, which draws thousands of residents annually.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced May 28 that the Chitina Personal Use fishery below the bridge is tentatively scheduled to open at noon on June 10. The actual opening will be based on Miles Lake sonar passage and will be announced by Emergency Order in early June, according to area management biologist Tracy Hansen.

The Miles Lake sonar crew has conducted partial counts this week, but the crew is waiting on ice flows from Miles Lake to subside before it can become fully operational, Hansen said. The sonar crew's ability to count salmon passing upstream is the primary data source ADF&G uses to determine when the fishery can open and how many days it will run.

Chitina Subdistrict Personal Use permits and State of Alaska sport fishing licenses are currently available online at the ADF&G online store and will also be available at Fish and Game offices and at vendors in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and local communities. There are currently no emergency orders for any Upper Copper/Upper Susitna Management Area fisheries, according to ADF&G.