May 15, 2025 — A new 2025 Copper River sockeye salmon forecast released on May 13 by state fisheries officials predicts a potential commercial run of about 2.5 million fish, with a harvest of 1.9 million Copper River sockeye salmon — up from a 2024 harvest estimated at almost 1.3 million reds.
That would be 50% above the recent 10-year average (2015-2024) total run of 1,757,000 reds, Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) officials said.
The 2025 Copper River District commercial salmon drift gillnet fishery is scheduled to open at 7 a.m. for 12 hours on May 22 for sockeye and Chinook salmon.
Wild sockeyes in the Copper River district were forecast at 55% above the 10-year average. Copper River Chinook salmon forecasts were down 25% from the 10-year average and categorized as a weak run, while stocks of sockeyes from the Gulkana hatchery were forecast at 27% below the 10-year average.
State biologists noted that salmon forecasts are inherently uncertain and are primarily used to gauge the general magnitude of expected runs and set early season harvest management strategy. This year the department will manage Prince William Sound and Copper River area commercial salmon fisheries in-season based on the strength of salmon abundance indices — including sonar counts, weir passage, aerial escapement surveys and fishery performance data.