Trollers are catching some of the highest landings in a decade
The winter Chinook fishery for Southeast trollers opened on October 1 and fishermen are seeing some great Chinook catches as the closing date approaches.
Trollers are seeing some of their highest king salmon landings in a decade, reports Joshua Bickert at SeafoodNews.com.
According to the latest figures from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the total count so far stands at 39,431 Chinook salmon.
“This represents a remarkable 133% increase over the same period in 2023, when landings totaled 14,887; and a 115% surge compared to the five-year average of 16,171,” Bickert said. “Even when considering the 10-year average, the current total remains substantially higher, approximately 65% above the average of 21,019 fish.
Many Southeast districts closed on March 15 but outer coastal waters will remain open until 45,000 non-Alaska hatchery produced (treaty)salmon are taken, or through March 31 whichever occurs first.
The average price paid to trollers during the most recent week was $7.27/lb, according to ADF&G.
