(Alaska Department of Fish and Game image)
Herring Bay will be closed to sport fishing starting Friday, July 20.
According to an Alaska Department of Fish and Game announcement, the closure includes all waters from west of the entrance to Hole-in-the-Wall Harbor to markers a half-mile north of Whitman Creek, to the salt-water boundary signs at the mouth of Herring Cove Creek.
Fish and Game states that summer coho salmon returning to Whitman Lake Hatchery are not expected to meet broodstock goals due to expected harvest and marine survival.
Only 300 coho have returned to the hatchery so far, while 3,000 are needed for broodstock. Once those broodstock needs are met, the department will reopen the area to sport fishing.
