Alaska Shuts Down Chinook Salmon Fishing to Save Stocks
Published Date: 4/29/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting May 1 through August 15, 2026, recreational fishing for Chinook salmon in the Cook Inlet area off Alaska is temporarily closed to protect the salmon population, which is very low this year. This means anglers who love fishing for Chinook salmon in this zone will need to wait until the closure ends. The goal is to help these salmon bounce back and keep the fishery healthy for the future.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Cook Inlet Chinook Fishing Closure
If you fish for Chinook salmon in the Cook Inlet exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Alaska, recreational fishing for Chinook is prohibited from 0001 hours Alaska local time on May 1, 2026 through 2400 hours Alaska local time on August 15, 2026. The closure is to conserve very low Chinook salmon stocks; NMFS cited a proposed acceptable biological catch (ABC) of 261 Chinook salmon and Alaska Department of Fish and Game forecasts of very low runs.
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