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There could be some commercial fishing early next May for king salmon returning to the Stikine River in Southeast Alaska. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is forecasting a return of just under 34,000 large Stikine king salmon next year.

That’s a large enough return to allow commercial fishing on this side of the border and an allowable catch of 1,100 Chinook. Catches of Stikine kings are managed under the Pacific Salmon Treaty between the U.S. and Canada.

The announcement means trollers and gillnetters could have a shot at fishing for those kings in early May. The last time that happened was in 2012, although fishing was shut down that year due to low catches. In addition to commercial openings, next year’s forecast could mean expanded bag limits for sport fishermen as well.

Meanwhile, the forecast for the Taku River near Juneau is not as positive. Fish and Game expects just over 29,000 kings to return to that trans-boundary river. That’s not large enough for commercial fishing in early May for the Taku, but openings could occur later that month if the run comes in stronger than expected.

Read the full story at Alaska Public Media >>

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