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Alaska Salmon Fishing Facts
Salmon have played a major role in the history and economy of Alaska and its commercial, sport, and subsistence fisheries; at this time Alaska produces about 80% of all salmon harvested in the western United States and Canada. Before being commercially exploited in the late 1800's, salmon were a main food source for Alaska's Native peoples. These Natives subsisted by using an
estimated 12 million salmon annually. By the end of the century, the total commercial harvest in Alaska had expanded to an estimated 56,000 salmon in 1878 which increased to more than 21 million by 1900.
Since 1980 annual commercial harvests have surpassed 100 million salmon in all but one year and are currently at a record high of more than 190 million.
The annual sport of Homer Alaska Salmon Fishing and subsistence harvests of salmon in Alaska have averaged about 1 million fish over the past few years. Science-based management, "limited-entry" fishing, effective law enforcement, and the institution of fixed escapement goals for specific rivers are among the factors that account for the bounty of increased salmon.
Apart from their economic, recreational, and subsistence importance, salmon are a vital link in various Alaskan ecosystems. Immense populations of bears and eagles in some parts of Alaska rely on late-spawning salmon as a food source before winter. Also, the carcasses of spawned-out salmon are a key element in otherwise nutrient-poor lakes and rivers.
Monitoring the status and trends of the salmon population is particularly important as it can alert managers to problems before irreversible losses occur. This is because Alaska has a greater amount of unaltered habitat and a larger number of wild salmon stocks than do other areas in the Northwest.
Alaska Treetops offers King salmon fishing charters aboard their 34 foot Baja Sport Fishing Catamaran. [ read
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