Fishing Report: State celebrates 9th Alaska Wild Salmon Day

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Salmon are synonymous with the state. To many Alaskans, they are more of a lifestyle than a species of fish.

They are woven into the fabric of the state through rivers, streams, and oceans. They have filled freezers and underground ice cellars for generations and have provided thousands of jobs and billions of dollars per year for the fishing industry.

All of these reasons and more are why former Gov. Bill Walker signed House Bill 128 into law in 2016, establishing Aug. 10 of each year as Alaska Wild Salmon Day.

”It’s hard not to think about salmon when you think about Alaska,” Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang said. “I am surprised it is not on our state flag. We’ve got eight stars of gold, but one of those stars could definitely be salmon.”

From colossal kings to chromochrome cohos, to pinks, chunky chum, and scrumptious sockeyes, there are many reasons why they deserve their own day.

“Given the importance of salmon to our culture, to our food security, to our enjoyment in getting outside, and really to our commercial fisheries which are really the fabric of many of our coastal communities, it’s really a great day to celebrate the legacy of salmon in Alaska.”

Alaska will celebrate its ninth of hopefully many Wild Salmon Days to come on Saturday.

”Wild Salmon Day should not only be celebrating what we’re doing today, but should be an opportunity for us to make sure we’re passing on these heritages and traditions that are so important to Alaska,” Vincent-Lang said.

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