Inseason Alaska Commercial Salmon Summary

This summary provides management, harvest, and escapement information for the Alaska commercial salmon fishing season. This summary will be updated each Friday between mid-May and September. Please note, inseason harvest data published in this summary are preliminary and subject to change. For more information on the Blue Sheet, inseason summaries, and harvest timing charts, please see our Blue Sheet, Inseason Summary, and Harvest Timing Charts Overview page.

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Southeast Alaska & Yakutat

Troll Fishery

Last updated: Friday, September 18, 2026

Inseason Alaskan Salmon Summary, as of September 18, 2026:

Southeast/Yakutat Troll Salmon Fishery:

The second Chinook salmon retention period of the general summer troll season began August 13 to target approximately 33,000 fish. The retention period closed on Friday, September 4 at 11:59 pm, at which point the waters of frequent high Chinook abundance closed concurrently for the remainder of the summer season.

In a September 17 advisory announcement, the department announced an extension of the coho troll fishery through September 30 in select areas. Districts 11, 14, and 15 will close September 20 at 11:59, as well as the waters north of 57°41.65' N lat in District 12, with the remaining waters open through the end of the month.

The department estimates that the full 33,000 Chinook salmon allocation for the second opening has been reached, with a total of 325 permits participating in the fishery. Harvest numbers will be finalized over the coming weeks as fish ticket reporting is completed. Harvest reported on fish tickets for other species throughout the summer troll fishery includes 375,700 coho and 1,016,300 chum salmon. Average prices are $9.34/lb for Chinook, $2.77/lb for coho and $1.63 /lb for chum salmon. Current average weights are 10.4 lbs for Chinook, 6.2 lbs for coho, and 8.5 lbs for chum salmon. Chinook salmon average weight is below the 2025 and 5-year averages by 0.5 lbs, while coho salmon average weight is above both the 2025 and 5-year averages by 0.8 lbs and 0.9 lbs, respectively. Similarly, chum salmon average weight is above both the 2025 and 5-year averages by 1.8 lbs and 1.6 lbs for the same fishing period.

The current regional power troll coho salmon catch rate for this week (SW 38) is 23 coho/boat/day, with the highest catch rate occurring in the Southern Inside area at 38/boat/day.

Directed chum landings reported on fish tickets for the summer troll season in the West Behm Canal and Neets Bay areas indicate that 114 vessels have taken 301,400 chum salmon from 1,228 landings at a rate of 245 fish per landing.

Directed chum landings reported in Sitka Sound during SW 37 indicate that 12 vessels have taken 2,000 chum salmon from 16 landings at a rate of 134 fish per landing. The seasonal total for this area indicates that 209 vessels have taken 588,800 chum salmon from 2,100 landings at a rate of 280 fish per landing.

Directed chum landings reported in West Crawfish during SW 37 indicate that 17 vessels have taken 6,700 chum salmon from 28 landings at a rate of 259 fish per landing. The seasonal total for this area indicates that 81 vessels have taken 102,800 chum salmon from 345 landings at a rate of 298 fish per landing.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Purse Seine Fishery

Last updated: Friday, September 18, 2026

Directed pink salmon common property purse seine fisheries is closed in all districts for the remainder of the 2026 season. Common property opportunity remains in select hatchery terminal harvest areas. In addition, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will continue to monitor fall chum salmon runs to Cholmondeley Sound, Security Bay, Port Camden, Nakwasina Sound, Chaik Bay, and Excursion Inlet.

The 2026 Southeast Alaska pink salmon harvest forecast was predicted to be average with a point estimate of 19 million fish. Traditional common property purse seine openings directed at harvesting pink salmon began July 2 and concluded September 3. This year’s traditional common property purse seine harvest estimate is 18.7 million pink salmon, similar to the parent year harvest of 18.0 million pink salmon. The majority of the pink salmon harvest was from Southern Southeast; however over 44% of the region’s harvest was from District 13 in the Sitka Management Area. The year’s District 13 pink salmon harvest was the third highest on record for that area. The total southeast pink salmon harvest estimate, including harvest from the drift gillnet fishery and Annette Islands Reserve, is 19.8 million fish. Pink salmon average weight was 3.5 pounds. Purse seine effort decreased slightly from 2025 (200 permits) but was slightly higher than 2024 (197 permits) with 199 permits making landings. Pink salmon escapement surveys continue and escapements levels are being assessed.

Hatchery produced chum salmon runs were expected to be average to above average in 2026. With the exception of Deep and Crawfish Inlets, hatchery produced chum salmon runs have concluded. The estimated common property purse seine THA harvest is 1.4 million chum salmon, below the 2016–2025 average harvest of 2.0 million chum salmon.

The overall exvessel of the 2026 purse seine harvest is expected to exceed the prior two seasons and the 2016–2025 average value of $56.5 million. Salmon prices were substantially higher than they have been for many years with initial estimates of price per pound of $5.52 for Chinook, $3.13 for sockeye, $1.01 for coho, $0.65 for pink, and $1.34 for chum salmon. The final price per pound paid will not be determined until late this winter.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Drift Gillnet Fishery

Last updated: Friday, September 04, 2026

The 5 traditional drift gillnet fishing in Southeast Alaska include: Tree Point and Portland Canal (District 1); Prince of Wales (District 6); Stikine (District 8); Taku/Snettisham (District 11); and Lynn Canal (District 15). Drift gillnet fisheries also occur in several terminal harvest areas (THAs) adjacent to hatchery facilities and remote release sites. The drift gillnet fishery targets sockeye, pink, and chum salmon during the summer season and coho and chum salmon during the fall season.

All districts are on fall coho salmon management and the fishery is expected to continue through September. Coho run strength indicators have varied throughout the region.

Hatchery-produced coho salmon run forecasts include 325,500 fish to SSRAA projects; 131,000 fish to NSRAA projects; 139,400 fish to Armstrong Keta Inc. (AKI), 8,000 fish to DIPAC projects, and 10,500 fish to the Sitka Sound Science Center. A portion of these runs will be harvested in traditional drift gillnet fisheries and in THAs. In 2025, Alaska hatchery coho contributions to drift gillnet fisheries were estimated at 45,300 fish, accounting for 43% of total drift gillnet coho common-property harvests. The largest single harvest came from Neets Bay, with strong contributions from Nakat Inlet, Anita Bay, and Macaulay releases.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Tree Point/Section 1-B

Last updated: Friday, September 18, 2026

The Tree Point drift gillnet fishery opened at 12:01 p.m., on Sunday, September 13, for a 5-day fishing period. In comparison to the 10-year average, the harvest of coho salmon was above average and chum salmon harvest was below average. The effort level of 11 vessels was below the 10-year average of 23 vessels. The estimated weekly harvest for statistical week 3 was 5,800 coho salmon and 700 chum salmon. Tree Point is currently being managed on the strength of fall coho salmon returns. With no fall coho concerns, Section 1-B will be open five days beginning at 12:01 p.m., Sunday, September 20, 2026.

The following information is about the Nakat Inlet, Neets Bay, Kendrick Bay and Carroll Inlet terminal harvest areas (THA). For further information and updates on SSRAA contributions and updates visit their website at http://www.ssraa.org/.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Stikine and Prince of Wales/Districts 6 and 8

Last updated: Friday, September 18, 2026

The District 6 and 8 gillnet fishery opened on September 13 for three days with management emphasis on wild coho salmon abundance. Coho salmon harvest rates were just below average in District 6. Run timing is a few weeks past peak for wild coho salmon harvests in both districts as indicated by the sharp increase in the proportion of hatchery fish for the past few weeks. With the switch to mostly hatchery fish, open time in both districts will be for three days next week. The preliminary harvest estimate for this week was 3,500 coho and 300 chum salmon from 24 boats fishing in District 6. The District 8 harvest was confidential this week. Both districts will open for three days next week starting on September 20.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Taku-Snettisham/Section 11-B

Last updated: Friday, September 18, 2026

The District 11 drift gillnet fishery was open for 42 days this season, which was 80% of the recent 10-year average fishing time. Preliminary salmon harvest estimates for the district indicate a Chinook harvest of 1,760 fish, which was 173% of the 10-year average. Sockeye harvest totaled 69,000 fish, or 78% of average. Coho harvest was approximately 14,000 fish, 58% of average. Pink salmon harvest reached 46,000 fish, 57% of average, and the chum salmon harvest was an estimated 407,000 fish, about 79% of average.

Abundance estimates for Taku River wild salmon are still being finalized. Preliminary analysis from the Chinook mark-recapture project indicates that escapement will exceed the lower bound of the goal of 19,000 large fish, but may fall short of the preseason forecast of 33,000. The preliminary inriver sockeye terminal size estimate of 141,000 above-border fish was below both the preseason terminal run forecast of 173,000 fish and the 10-year average of 189,000 fish. The projected Taku inriver wild sockeye run is 91,000 fish, which is above the escapement goal range of 40,000 to 75,000 wild fish. Sockeye escapements into Little Trapper, Tatsamenie, and King Salmon Lakes were all below their recent 10-year average weir counts.

Assessment of the Taku River coho run is ongoing. Preliminary estimates indicate a terminal run of approximately 72,000 fish, which is below the preseason forecast of 89,000 fish and the 10-year average of 91,000 fish. The inriver coho escapement is expected to come in just above the lower bound of the biological escapement goal range of 50,000 to 90,000 fish.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Lynn Canal/District 15

Last updated: Friday, September 18, 2026

District 15 is currently managed based on wild coho and chum salmon abundance. All waters of the district, except Lutak Inlet, were open for three days. Fishing effort decreased to 35 boats participating, which was below the recent 10-year weekly average.

Chum and coho catch rates improved from prior weeks, but coho catch rates remained below average whereas chum catch rates improved to just above average.

The Chilkoot River weir final sockeye escapement estimate was 64,400 fish, near the midpoint of the escapement goal range of 68,000 to 86,000 fish. To date, almost 90,000 sockeye salmon have been counted at the Chilkat Lake Sonar Project, well above the 70,000 fish lower bound of the escapement goal range. The project will continue operating through the first week of October.

Next week, District 15 will open for 3 days again.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Yakutat Area Set Gillnet Fishery

Last updated: Monday, September 21, 2026

In the Yakutat area the sockeye salmon returns in 2026 were below average in most systems but escapement goals were met.

Fall coho salmon fisheries continued. Most coho salmon runs the Yakutat area are trending to be average to above average.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Terminal Harvest Area (THA) Fisheries

Last updated: Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Terminal Harvest Area (THA) drift gillnet fisheries can occur in Nakat Inlet, Carroll Inlet, Anita Bay, Southeast Cove, Deep Inlet, and Boat Harbor. THA seine fisheries can occur in Carroll Inlet, Neets Bay, Kendrick Bay, Anita Bay, Thomas Bay, Southeast Cove, Hidden Falls, Crawfish Inlet, and Deep Inlet.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Nakat Inlet THA

Last updated: Friday, September 18, 2026

For 2026, SSRAA is forecasting total hatchery returns of 494,000 summer chum, 29,700 coho, and 20,000 fall chum salmon with anticipated terminal runs of 220,000 summer chum, 7,400 coho, and 9,000 fall chum salmon to the Nakat Inlet THA. Peak chum salmon harvests from these releases are expected between mid to late July for summer chum and between late August and mid-September for fall chum and coho salmon. The current estimated Nakat Inlet THA harvest is 479,000 chum salmon and 4,900 coho salmon.

The Nakat Inlet THA opens by regulation (5 AAC 33.372) from June 1 through November 10 concurrently to drift gillnet and troll gear. The 500-yard stream closure regulation (5 AAC 39.290) will remain in effect.

For inseason updates go to the SSRAA website at http://www.ssraa.org/.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Neets Bay THA

Last updated: Friday, September 04, 2026

In 2026, SSRAA is forecasting total runs of 1,375,000 summer chum and 95,500 coho salmon with anticipated terminal runs of 894,000 summer chum and 38,200 coho salmon for the Neets Bay THA.

The initial fishing schedule and area for Neets Bay THA for the 2026 season was announced by the ADF&G on April 15. The Neets Bay THA opened for a rotational fishery between purse seine and drift gillnet on August 7 and closed on Friday, August 21, 2026, as announced by the ADF&G on August 20. Additional common property fisheries, if warranted, will be announced by the ADF&G and opened by EO in consultation with SSRAA. The current estimated harvest for the Neets Bay THA is 54,000 chum salmon by drift gillnet gear and 156,000 chum salmon by purse seine gear.

For inseason updates go to the SSRAA website at http://www.ssraa.org/.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Kendrick Bay THA

Last updated: Friday, September 18, 2026

For 2026, SSRAA is expecting a total run of 810,000 summer chum salmon with an anticipated terminal run of 358,000 summer chum salmon for the Kendrick Bay THA. Due to budgetary shortfalls and the need for additional cost recovery, the Kendrick Bay THA did not open by regulation on June 15. The Kendrick Bay THA remained closed to common property harvest until approximately 1.5 million pounds of chum salmon were harvested for cost recovery. The Kendrick Bay THA opened to common property purse seine and troll fishing on July 16, 2026, and will close by regulation on September 30, 2026.

Details of the 2026 fishing schedule for the Kendrick Bay THA were announced separately by the ADF&G on April 17 and July 14. The current estimated Kendrick Bay THA common property harvest is 97,000 chum salmon.

For inseason updates go to the SSRAA website at http://www.ssraa.org/.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Carroll Inlet THA

Last updated: Friday, August 21, 2026

For 2026, SSRAA had forecasted a total run of 6,100 Carroll Inlet Chinook salmon with an anticipated terminal run of 4,400 Chinook. By regulation, Carroll Inlet THA opened June 1 through June 30 to provide harvest for hatchery-produced Chinook salmon.

Details of the 2026 season fishing schedule and area for the Carroll Inlet THA were announced by the ADF&G on April 17. The current estimated harvest is 1,200 Chinook salmon by purse seine gear and 160 Chinook salmon by drift gillnet gear.

The fishery is now closed for the season.

For inseason updates go to the SSRAA website at http://www.ssraa.org/.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Anita Bay THA

Last updated: Friday, September 18, 2026

For 2026, SSRAA forecasted a total run of 14,700 coho salmon to the Anita Bay release site. It is anticipated that 6,600 coho salmon will be available for common property harvest in the Anita Bay THA.

The Anita Bay THA will be open continuously to harvest salmon for Troll gear, drift gillnet, and purse seine gear concurrently through 11:59 pm, Tuesday, November 10. The Anita Bay THA will close for the season at 11:59 pm, Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

For inseason updates go to the SSRAA website at http://www.ssraa.org/.

Deep Inlet THA

Last updated: Friday, September 04, 2026

The Deep Inlet Terminal Harvest Area (THA) closed to all common property commercial salmon fisheries effective 12:01 a.m., Monday, August 31, 2026.

Estimated harvest to date from the purse seine openings is 427,000 chum salmon.

Estimated harvest to date from the drift gillnet openings is 1,900 Chinook and 125,000 chum salmon.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Hidden Falls THA

Last updated: Friday, July 24, 2026

The Hidden Falls Hatchery, operated by the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association (NSRAA), expects a total run of 409,000 chum salmon. An estimated 200,000 chum salmon will be needed for broodstock. NSRAA will not be conducting cost recovery operations within the Hidden Falls THA this year; however, time and area restrictions may be necessary to conserve chum salmon for broodstock.

The Hidden Falls THA has remained closed following the July 12 purse seine opening to achieve broodstock goals. Harvest from the Hidden Falls THA purse seine openings through July 12 totaled 450 Chinook and 160,000 chum salmon.

The Hidden Falls Hatchery Terminal Harvest Area Salmon Management Plan (5 AAC 33.374) provides guidelines for allocation of hatchery-produced chum and Chinook salmon in the Hidden Falls THA. The management plan describes several approaches to achieve broodstock and cost- recovery goals through June 30. Purse seine openings will be limited to a maximum of 2 fishing days per week in the terminal harvest area in order to harvest surplus chum salmon. If Sunday and midweek seine openings have not occurred and further action is needed to achieve broodstock and cost-recovery goals, the troll fishery will be closed to the retention of chum salmon inside the THA as long as at least 7 days remain until July 1. Beginning July 1, areas within the THA may be closed to protect chum or Chinook salmon broodstock and trollers may only retain chum salmon in numbers not exceeding the total number of Chinook salmon on board. For the latest Hidden Falls Hatchery boundaries, refer to the salmon purse seine fishery announcements issued each Tuesday and Friday.

For inseason updates please go to the NSRAA website at http://www.nsraa.org/.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Crawfish Inlet THA

Last updated: Wednesday, May 13, 2026

The District 13: Crawfish Inlet Terminal Harvest Area Salmon Management Plan (5 AAC 33.380) states that the department, in consultation with NSRAA, shall, by EO, open and close the Crawfish Inlet THA to provide for the harvest of hatchery-produced Chinook and chum salmon by purse seine, drift gillnet, and troll gear. The runs of Chinook and chum salmon to Crawfish Inlet are managed with a troll priority. There are no scheduled purse seine openings for the Crawfish Inlet THA in 2026.

NSRAA expects a run of 281,000 chum and 500 Chinook salmon for the Crawfish Inlet remote release site. NSRAA plans on conducting a cost-recovery fishery this season in Crawfish Inlet. The number of chum salmon available for common property harvest will depend entirely on the progress of the cost-recovery fishery. No chum salmon are expected to be needed for broodstock in Crawfish Inlet.

For inseason updates go to the NSRAA website at http://www.nsraa.org/.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Thomas Bay THA

Last updated: Wednesday, May 13, 2026

NSRAA is forecasting a total run of 115,000 chum salmon for the Thomas Bay THA. A portion of the run will be harvested in common property fisheries in Chatham Strait and Frederick Sound. No cost recovery is planned in 2026. The Thomas Bay THA will be open to common property purse seine and troll fisheries from Sunday, June 21, through Saturday, August 8, 2026. Purse seine openings will occur on Sundays and Thursdays, and troll openings will occur on days closed to purse seining.

Further details of the 2026 Thomas Bay THA fishing schedule and area were announced in a separate ADF&G advisory announcement released on April 10.

For inseason updates go to the NSRAA website at http://www.nsraa.org/.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Southeast Cove THA

Last updated: Friday, May 15, 2026

The Southeast Cove THA will be managed in accordance with the District 9: Southeast Cove Terminal Harvest Area Management Plan (5 AAC 33.387). In 2026, NSRAA is forecasting a run of 105,000 summer chum and 860 Chinook salmon for the Southeast Cove THA. In 2026, it is anticipated that the Southeast Cove THA will be cost recovery only and common property purse seine opportunity will not be provided. However, if significant numbers of fish remain after cost recovery operations are completed, common property opportunity may be provided via EO, dependent on the presence of wild salmon stocks in the area. If closures or openings are warranted, they will be announced by advisory announcement.

Further details of the 2026 Southeast Cove THA fishing schedule and area were announced in a separate ADF&G advisory announcement released on April 15.

For inseason updates go to the NSRAA website at http://www.nsraa.org/.

For more information, please visit the ADF&G website for the Southeast Alaska and Yakutat Management Area.

Port Asumcion THA

Last updated: Friday, September 18, 2026

For 2026, SSRAA has forecasted a total run of 354,000 summer chum salmon with an anticipated terminal run of 248,000 summer chum salmon. The Port Asumcion summer chum return is intercepted in District 3 and 4 fisheries, and terminal harvest in this area is primarily designated for cost recovery. The Port Asumcion THA opened to common property purse seine fishing on August 6 and will close on September 15, 2026, as announced by the ADF&G on August 4. Additional common property fisheries, if warranted, will be announced by the ADF&G and opened by EO in consultation with SSRAA. The current estimated Port Asumcion THA harvest is 17,100 chum salmon.

The fishery is now closed for the season.

For inseason updates go to the SSRAA website at http://www.ssraa.org/.

Burnett Inlet THA

Last updated: Friday, May 15, 2026

The Burnett Inlet Terminal Harvest Area (THA) commercial salmon troll fishery will open for the harvest of chum, coho, sockeye, and pink salmon from 12:01 a.m., Saturday, June 27, 2026, until closed by emergency order. The Southern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association is forecasting a total return of approximately 426,000 hatchery-produced summer chum salmon and 11,600 hatchery-produced fall chum salmon to the Burnett Inlet THA.

Further details of the 2026 Burnett Inlet THA fishing schedule and area were announced in a separate ADF&G advisory announcement released on April 15.

For inseason updates go to the SSRAA website at http://www.ssraa.org/.

Speel Arm THA

Last updated: Thursday, May 14, 2026

The 2026 total run forecast for Snettisham Hatchery sockeye salmon is 83,000 fish, below the 144,000 fish average. These fish will be principally harvested in the traditional District 11 commercial drift gillnet fishery. Common property fishery openings may occur during August in the Speel Arm THA (waters of Speel Arm north of Sharp Point). Timing of openings in the THA will depend on sockeye salmon escapement into Speel Lake and DIPAC’s progress toward broodstock goals. DIPAC cost-recovery efforts in the special harvest area during July will be limited to waters in the immediate vicinity of the hatchery where wild and hatchery stocks are well segregated. Fishery management decisions for the Speel Arm THA will be made in consultation with DIPAC.

For inseason updates go to the DIPAC website at https://www.dipac.net/

Amalga Harbor THA

Last updated: Thursday, May 14, 2026

Common property purse seine opportunities in the Amalga Harbor THA will be based on run strength of hatchery-produced chum salmon, progress toward DIPAC cost-recovery goals, expected effort levels, and considerations for nontarget species. Openings may occur in Section 11-A and will be limited to a portion of the Amalga Harbor THA, Subdistrict 111-55. These openings may occur in July, will only be on Thursdays, and will be limited to 9 hours (9:00 am–6:00 pm). If there are conservation concerns for non-target species in nearby systems, the open area or time may be reduced. Details of the open area and times will be included in the normal purse seine advisory announcement at the appropriate time.

For inseason updates go to the DIPAC website at https://www.dipac.net/

Boat Harbor THA

Last updated: Friday, August 28, 2026

The outside waters of the Boat Harbor Terminal Harvest Area (THA) were open for three days this week and closed at noon on Wednesday, August 26. There was no participation in the area during the opening. The outside waters of the THA are no longer being managed as a THA and will now be managed with the remainder of Section 15-C as a traditional state-managed fishery.

There was also no participation in the inside waters of the Boat Harbor THA this week. The inside waters of the THA will close for the season at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2026.

For inseason updates go to the DIPAC website at https://www.dipac.net/