Yakutat set gillnetters get another opening, but still can't keep king salmon

Yakutat set gillnetters get another commercial opening starting Sunday, Sept. 27, but they still can't keep king salmon of any size, whether to sell or to eat. Other species remain open to harvest.

Most areas open at 12:01 pm Sunday. Fishing runs through noon Wednesday, Sept. 30, in the East Alsek, Alsek, Akwe and Dangerous rivers, and through noon Thursday, Oct. 1, in Yakutat Bay, the Situk-Ahrnklin Inlet and the Manby Shore-Outside Waters. The Yakataga District opens at 9 am Sunday. The Lost River stays closed until further notice.

Any king salmon caught dead must have its dorsal fin removed, be recorded as donated on the fish ticket and be turned over to a buyer or the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's Yakutat office, which gives the fish to people in need.

The department's 2026 Yakutat management plan forecast 900 large kings returning to the Situk River, within its spawning goal of 450 to 1,050 fish.

Fishermen can use two permits at once in the Situk-Ahrnklin Inlet and in Yakutat Bay north of a line from Point Manby to Ocean Cape, but must notify the Yakutat office when they start and stop fishing.