Photo: KRITFC

This is an announcement from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) that was released June 3, 2026.

Aniak River Drainage Closed to Sport Fishing for King Salmon

To help protect king salmon during a period of low abundance and improve future fishing opportunities, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is closing the entire Aniak River drainage, including the state waters of the Kuskokwim River within the “Aniak Box” at the mouth of the Aniak River, to sport fishing for king salmon effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 5 through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2026.

This closure prohibits all sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. Any king salmon caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. As a reminder, only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure may be used in the Aniak River drainage while fishing for any species.

The “Aniak Box” is defined as the state waters of the Kuskokwim River near Aniak from a line formed between two points at lat 61°35.264′ N, long 159°33.459′ W and lat 61°35.611′ N, long 159°33.260′ W, upstream to a line formed between two points at lat 61°35.308′ N, long 159°29.167′ W and lat 61°34.731′ N, long 159°28.939′ W. These points are generally identified by regulatory markers located onshore.

The Kuskokwim River Salmon Management Plan (5 AAC 07.365) provides for sport and commercial harvest opportunity on surplus king salmon in excess of escapement and subsistence needs. Indications are that the 2026 Aniak River king salmon run may be similar to the 2025 run. In 2025, the estimated total Kuskokwim River king salmon run was approximately 151,592 fish, with an estimated spawning escapement of approximately 105,983 fish, above the lower bound of the drainagewide escapement goal range of 65,000–120,000 fish. However, spawning escapement in the Aniak River drainage has remained comparatively low in recent years relative to other Kuskokwim River tributaries. For 2026, subsistence restrictions in the Aniak River and adjacent “Aniak Box” area have also been implemented to improve spawning escapement.

If inseason information indicates there is a harvestable surplus of king salmon in excess of escapement and subsistence needs, sport fishing opportunity may be reopened.

For additional information, contact John Chythlook, Kuskokwim-Goodnews Area Management Biologist, at 907-459-7361 or john.chythlook@alaska.gov