Wood River Sockeye Limit Doubles to 10 Fish Starting Tuesday

Sport anglers fishing the Wood River drainage out of Dillingham can keep more sockeye starting Tuesday, after the Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued an advisory Monday increasing the bag and possession limit to 10 fish, with no size restriction, in all waters of the Wood River drainage. The change takes effect at 12:01 a.m. June 30 and runs through December 31, 2026.

ADF&G said the increase is based on projected escapement exceeding the goal range. The sockeye run is on track to exceed the upper end of the Alaska Board of Fisheries-set escapement goal of 700,000 to 1.8 million fish. "This year's sockeye salmon run on the Wood River is anticipated to exceed the upper end of the escapement goal, therefore it is warranted to provide additional opportunity," Assistant Area Management Biologist Greta Hayden-Pless said.

What the Limit Actually Means

The limit for other salmon species except king salmon stays at five fish with no size limit. The advisory notes that limits for salmon other than king and sockeye are counted in combination with the more liberal sockeye limits. King salmon limits are unchanged.

Part of a Broader 2026 Pattern

This order fits a pattern ADF&G has followed elsewhere this season. The department issued similar emergency orders on the Kasilof River in response to runs that outpaced escapement goals. The Wood River order runs through the end of the year, covering the full remainder of the sport season.

Anglers with questions can reach Hayden-Pless directly at (907) 842-2427.