A map of 2018 ADF&G fishery regulations on the Chilkat Inlet and Chilkoot Inlet. (Courtesy of ADF&G)

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game recently announced its management plan for subsistence fisheries in the Haines Borough. The regulations are no different from last year, however, applications for permits will now be processed online.

Management plans are conservative due to low run size forecasts for 2018. The department’s inriver run goal for Chilkat Chinook has not been met five of the last six years. ADF&G Haines Area Management Biologist Wyatt Rhea-Fournier says the department is still researching declining runs. He points to changing water conditions outside the Upper Lynn Canal as one factor.  

“One thing to remember is our Chinook salmon for the last 5, 6 years have been experiencing elevated temperatures in the Northern Pacific Ocean,” Rhea-Fournier said. 

The department is requesting that all Chinook salmon caught alive be returned to the water.

“If their gills aren’t cut you usually can release them alive, so the department’s requesting that we release all live Chinook back into the water,” Rhea-Fournier said.

Rhea-Fournier says that any kings that are harvested due to cut gills must be reported.

Recently, ADF&G decided to move completely online for subsistence and personal use permits. Permits are available online at adfg.alaska.gov/store.

“And then you can select which area you want to fish in and then it would print out not only your region-wide permit, but then area-specific details that would show you the different openings and closures, rules, regulations, gear types,” Rhea-Fournier said.

Online harvest reports are also available on the ADF&G website. The Haines office will still accept reports in person or by mail.  

Chilkat Inlet’s subsistence fishery will be closed until July 20th. From July 21st through July 27th, it will be open between Letnikof Point and Glacier Point. From July 28th, all of Chilkat Inlet north of Glacier Point will be open.  The subsistence fishing in Lutak Inlet and Chilkoot Inlet will be open as usual on June 16th.

Subsistence fishing on the Chilkat River will be open from June 1st to June 14th from Haines Highway mile 4 to one mile upstream of Wells Bridge. It will then close from June 15th through June 31st, excluding the stretch of river between mile 19 and Wells Bridge. That stretch will be open Wednesday through Saturday from June 15th to June 31st.