Petersburg's Blind Slough opens fully to king salmon as hatchery return surpasses forecast

King salmon fishing expands at the Blind Slough/Wrangell Narrows Terminal Harvest Area near Petersburg starting 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 18, after the Crystal Lake Hatchery king salmon return came in stronger than managers projected and broodstock needs were fully met. The advisory was released July 17, 2026, and regulations run through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, August 15.

Residents may keep 3 king salmon per day and in possession, any size, with no annual limit. Nonresidents get 2 per day and in possession, any size, no annual limit. The entire stretch of Blind Slough upstream of Blind River Rapids is now open to sport fishing, an expansion from prior restrictions. Bait is allowed; snagging is not.

The 2026 hatchery return has already cleared the preseason projection of 2,300 large kings to Crystal Lake Hatchery and the terminal area. Hatchery staff completed three separate broodstock collections, removing the conservation constraint that would otherwise cap harvest opportunity.

Anglers retaining a king salmon under 28 inches inside the terminal area, where no size minimum applies, should note that the 28-inch minimum governs waters outside the terminal area. Holding a sub-28-inch fish while moving outside the boundary would put an angler out of compliance with regulations there.