Eagle River king salmon fishery closed for 2026 season

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game closed all sport fishing for king salmon in the entire Eagle River drainage for the 2026 season under Emergency Order 2-KS-2-2-26, according to the agency's May 22 Anchorage Fishing Report. The closure runs through July 13 and prohibits anglers from targeting or retaining king salmon anywhere in the drainage system. Any king salmon caught incidentally must be released immediately without being removed from the water.

The emergency order also restricts sport fishing gear in Eagle River between the Route Bravo Bridge and the regulatory marker at mile 7.4 of Eagle River Road to one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure with a gap of half-inch or less. Sport fishing for other species remains open under these gear restrictions.

ADF&G cited conservation concerns for king salmon stocks when issuing the emergency order. The agency stated that king salmon are experiencing a period of poor productivity and escapement goals are not likely to be achieved in 2026. The Eagle River closure aligns with broader emergency actions that close or heavily restrict king salmon sport fisheries in the Kenai, Susitna, and Little Susitna river systems for the 2026 season due to weak run forecasts.

Brittany Blain-Roth, Area Management Biologist for ADF&G's Sport Fish Division in Anchorage, is the contact for the emergency order and can be reached at 907-267-2186. For additional information, contact the Anchorage Office at 907-267-2218.