Unalaska, AK – The mouth of McLees Lake in Reese Bay will be closed to subsistence salmon fishing for longer than normal this season. Because of poor sockeye salmon returns into the lake, the 500 yard area around the outlet stream will remain closed until further notice. Aleutians Area Management Biologist Aaron Poetter says to date, only 7,000 fish have passed through the weir, which is well below the 5 year average.

It could be a number of things [causing the low escapement], Poetter says. They could be a little bit late and without knowing that for sure, not being able to really see into that crystal ball, we decided that it would be pertinent to extend the markers until we saw a little bit more progress towards what we're looking for escapement there. Then we'll certainly look to roll those markers back up to the mouth.

Poetter says they'll open the area up again once they are closer to the escapement goal of 10 to 12 thousand fish. Escapement numbers have picked up in the past few days to about 600 fish per day. Poetter says that means the area might only be closed for another week or so.