February 5, 2024 — State fisheries officials are forecasting a strong run of nearly 2 million sockeye salmon into the Copper River in 2024, plus an average run of 47,000 Chinook salmon.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) forecast of Jan. 18 predicts a sockeye run of 1,965,000 fish, compared to the 10-year average of 1,740,000 fish, with a forecast range of 1,572,000 to 2,358,000 fish, or 13% above average.
For Chinook salmon, the forecast is for a run of 34,000 to 66,000 kings, or 2% below the 10-year average of 48,000 fish.
For the Gulkana hatchery, a weak run of 36,000 salmon is forecasts with a range of 29,000 to 44,000 fish, or 69% below the 10-year average of 117,000 salmon.
Forecasts are all strong, however, for Coghill Lake sockeyes, and pink and chum salmon in Prince William Sound.