Situk River Chinook nonretention order remains in effect for all user groups in Yakutat

Yakutat's Situk River Chinook salmon run has failed to reach the escapement levels needed to lift restrictions through at least three consecutive weeks of Alaska Department of Fish and Game emergency orders. The subsistence, commercial, and sport fisheries remain closed to Chinook retention in the Situk-Ahrnklin Inlet until further notice.

Commercial set gillnet operators, subsistence fishers, and sport anglers are all barred from retaining Chinook in the Situk-Ahrnklin Inlet. Dual permits are also prohibited in both the Situk-Ahrnklin Inlet and Yakutat Bay north of Point Manby to Ocean Cape; the run is not expected to meet the 750-fish escapement threshold required to allow their use. Dead Chinook netted incidentally must have the dorsal fin removed and be recorded using disposition code 86-Donated. The Lost River remains closed to commercial set gillnet fishing.

Orders issued June 18, June 25, and July 2 each kept Chinook retention closed until further notice. ADF&G had projected a 2026 Situk run of 900 large Chinook within an escapement goal of 500 to 1,000 fish. The weekly subsistence period runs Friday 12:01 a.m. to Saturday 11:59 p.m., but Chinook retention remains prohibited throughout.