Jim Menard, Area Management Biologist
Scott Kent, Asst. Area Management Biologist
Phone:
(907) 443-5167
Fax: (907) 443-5893
Districts Affected: Northern Norton Sound
Coho salmon numbers have improved the past week as more coho salmon have been observed moving into the rivers of the Nome Subdistrict. Although the coho salmon run has been well below average this year, the recent closure to all coho salmon fishing in the subdistrict has allowed a number of coho salmon to reach the spawning grounds. Aerial surveys of the rivers east of Cape Nome and the Nome River indicate there should be a sufficient number of coho salmon reaching the spawning grounds in those rivers.
Effective Tuesday, September 8 at 8:00 a.m., the freshwater subsistence areas east of Cape Nome and the Nome River, downstream of the VOR site, will reopen to hook and line subsistence fishing for coho salmon. No bait can be used when fishing with hook and line. The subsistence hook and line catch limit in the areas open to coho salmon fishing is three coho salmon per day per household. Possession of a Nome Subdistrict subsistence salmon permit is required when fishing for salmon.
All other areas of the Nome Subdistrict, except for the freshwater subsistence areas east of Cape Nome and the Nome River downstream of the VOR site, remain closed to coho salmon fishing. All salmon net fishing remains closed in the Nome Subdistrict. Also, sport fishing for coho salmon remains closed in the Nome Subdistrict and no bait can be used when sport fishing for other species.
Here are the latest escapement counts in Norton Sound this season:
North River – 21,000 silvers
Kwinuik River – 7,600 silvers
Niukluk River – 6,800 silvers
Nome River – 1,000 silvers
