Craig, Klawock Anglers Face New Ban on Filleting Fish at Sea

Marine anglers returning to Craig and Klawock this summer will no longer be allowed to fillet, mutilate, or remove the heads from certain fish species at sea, according to a fishing report issued May 19 by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

The restriction applies to lingcod, nonpelagic rockfish, and king or coho salmon. These fish must remain whole until the vessel is tied up at a docking facility where the fish will be offloaded, unless they have been consumed or preserved on board.

The regulation is specific to marine anglers returning to the ports of Craig and Klawock. It does not apply to other Southeast Alaska ports.

Craig Schwanke, area management biologist for ADF&G, said the purpose of the restriction is to maximize the information collected through creel sampling and angler interviews. He described this data as critical for managing and sustaining fisheries.

Creel technicians from ADF&G are now stationed on the docks in Craig and Klawock. The samplers will ask anglers about their fishing trips and sample their fish. Schwanke asked anglers to be patient and respectful as the technicians carry out this work.

The restriction comes as king salmon fishing has been good on the west coast of Prince of Wales Island, according to the report. For king salmon, residents may keep two fish over 28 inches per day. Nonresidents may keep one fish per day, with an annual harvest limit of three fish over 28 inches through June 30. Starting July 1, the nonresident annual limit drops to one fish over 28 inches. Immediately upon landing and retaining a king salmon, a nonresident must enter the species, date, and location on their paper or electronic harvest record.

Inside waters of Southeast Alaska, including Clarence Strait on the east side of Prince of Wales, remain closed to king salmon retention. The closure began April 1 and will reopen June 15. ADF&G described the closure as a conservation measure to protect Alaska mainland king salmon stocks as they migrate to their spawning rivers.

Lingcod retention opened May 16. Residents may keep one fish per day with no size limit. Nonresidents may keep one fish per day, with an annual harvest limit of one fish between 30 and 35 inches and one fish over 55 inches. The west side of Prince of Wales south of the 56th parallel at Cape Decision will be closed to lingcod harvest for nonresidents from August 1 through August 31. Immediately upon landing and retaining lingcod, a nonresident must enter the species, date, and location on their paper or electronic harvest record.

For rockfish, all sport fishing vessels are required to have at least one functional deepwater release device, regardless of species targeted. Anglers will be required to use a deepwater release device to release rockfish to the depth it was hooked or to a depth of at least 100 feet.