ADF&G closes Sitka’s Bear Cove and Deep Inlet to coho through Oct. 31

Sitka’s hatchery coho holes are closed. Alaska Department of Fish and Game Emergency Order 1-CO-D-29-26, issued Sept. 11, 2026, shut sport fishing for coho salmon in Bear Cove near Medvejie Hatchery and in Deep Inlet from 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15 through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.

The Bear Cove close is all waters east of a line from 57°00.63′ N., 135°09.80′ W. to 57°01.07′ N., 135°09.93′ W. Deep Inlet is closed south of the line from 56°59.342′ N., 135°18.541′ W. to 56°59.07′ N., 135°18.555′ W. This is a coho sport close in those two boxes, not a Sitka-wide salmon shutdown.

ADF&G’s reason is broodstock. Coho returning to Medvejie Hatchery and Deep Inlet are not expected to meet broodstock goals in 2026. As of the Sept. 11 advisory, no coho had been collected toward a 2,250-fish need. Southeast Sport Fish in Sitka: 907-747-5355. Check the current emergency-order list before you fish Baranof water.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: ADF&G — Sport Fishing for Coho Salmon Closed in Bear Cove and Deep Inlet (EO 1-CO-D-29-26, released Sept. 11, 2026; in effect Sept. 15–Oct. 31, 2026).