Unalaska, AK – Today, Church Hole is open for fishing after three months of being closed. But in the past couple of weeks, there has been an up-tick in illegal fishing there. That's because there are now plenty of coho salmon going upstream, says Officer Michael Holman.

"About this time of year, every year, we have an increase in illegal fishing activity on the creek, targeting the silvers coming back," he says.

The punishment for illegal fishing is a ticket in the amount of over $100. Both public safety and the Alaska state troopers have been handling the enforcement and issuing citations. Robin Morrisette is one of these troopers, and he explains why it's important to keep Church Hole closed during the summer.

"In that area it's supposed to be deeper," says Morrissette. "I want to say there's a little bit of an eddy in there. So when they're coming up, they can take their break and hang out for a little while and rest, and then head on up the river."

The fishing restrictions at Church Hole were lifted at midnight, and silvers can be still be caught there - only now, without the risk of getting a ticket.