Togiak sockeye count far below expectations, fishing cuts likely next week

Drift and set gillnet permit holders in the Togiak District are likely facing reduced fishing time next week after escapement past the Togiak tower reached only 8,340 sockeye, far below the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's 2026 inshore run forecast of about 530,000 sockeye, with an escapement goal of 120,000 to 270,000 and a potential harvestable surplus of 370,000 fish.

An aerial survey conducted July 16 found additional sockeye holding in the lower river rather than moving upstream. "The current escapement past the Togiak tower is 8,340. This is far below expectations. An aerial survey yesterday indicated additional sockeye salmon holding in the lower river. We will continue to monitor the situation, but it is likely that we will need to reduce fishing time in the Togiak District next week," the department said in Westside Salmon Announcement 31 (EO 2F-T-31-26), issued Friday, July 17, at 3:00 p.m. The department noted that any reductions are not yet final and that it will continue monitoring before announcing closure times.

The Matogak, Osviak, and Cape Peirce sections closed at 9:00 a.m. Saturday and reopen Monday, July 20, at 9:00 a.m. Closure times for that week will not be announced until Tuesday or Wednesday, July 21 or 22.