Citing low returns of king salmon, the State Department of Fish and Game announced Monday that the Ninilchik River will remain closed to king salmon fishing, and implemented a slew of gear restrictions in southern peninsula streams and rivers.

It was an “error in regulation,” an announcement from the department says, that would have opened the Ninilchik River to king salmon fishing on Wednesday, July 16. A new emergency order bars fishing for kings through Oct. 31. The Ninilchik River will open to fishing for other species of fish on Wednesday, with a restriction to one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure. Any king salmon caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be immediately released.

“The Ninilchik River king salmon run has a reasonable opportunity to meet the SEG with the later part of the run,” says Area Management Biologist Mike Booz in the release. “Due to low water conditions, there is a buildup of king salmon in the lower section of the river. This restriction should help ensure that we get as many of the king salmon remaining in the lower river into the escapement while still allowing anglers to fish for Dolly Varden and other salmon.”

The same gear restriction, to one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure, will be implemented in Deep Creek, Stariski Creek and the Anchor River through the end of the month. A second announcement similarly points to a need to minimize incidental catch of kings. Those streams, lie the Ninilchik River, open to fishing for other species on July 16.

More information about fishing regulations and availability can be found at adfg.alaska.gov.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.