The Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued a notice Wednesday, June 18, that the Ninilchik River will be closed to sport fishing for all species from June 23 through July 15 in an effort to achieve the king salmon escapement goal for the area.

The Ninilchik River king salmon sustainable escapement goal is between 900-1,600. As of June 17, the press release states, a total of 417 wild, or naturally produced, king salmon have been counted through the weir.

The run is not currently projected to achieve the sustainable escapement goal, or SEG. The Ninilchik River SEG has also not been achieved in the last three consecutive years, according to ADF&G.

The closure — an action noted by ADF&G as “consistent” with the Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik River king salmon sport fishery management plan — is also required, the release notes, to achieve the broodstock collection goals for stocking the Ninilchik River and the Kachemak Bay terminal fisheries in 2026. As of June 17, an additional 100 naturally produced king salmon — the only fish used for broodstock in Ninilchik River — are needed to achieve the broodstock collection goal for stocking the river.

“Although there are good numbers of hatchery king salmon in the Ninilchik River, the numbers of wild fish and large hatchery fish aren’t good enough,” stated ADF&G Area Management Biologist Mike Booz. “Closing the sport fishery will provide the best chance at making the goals.”

Additionally, about 150 hatchery-produced female king salmon are needed for broodstock for stocking the Kachemak Bay terminal fisheries, the release states. While the escapement showed over 600 hatchery-produced king salmon, only 40 of those are fish are females, and approximately 60% of the hatchery fish counted are less than 20 inches in length.

“All remaining large hatchery-produced king salmon will be needed for broodstock collection,” the release said.

For more information, contact the ADF&G Homer office at 907-235-8191.