The first of July is usually a bad day for Unalaska’s subsistence fishermen. By regulation, restrictions are usually put on salmon fishing at Wislow for the first part of the month, limiting fishing opportunities.

But this year, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is permitting subsistence fishing in Reese Bay to the end of the McLees Lake stream outlet, instead of closing off a 500 yard section. That’s because ADFG met their minimum escapement goal of 10,000 sockeye salmon.

According to management biologist Aaron Poetter, almost 18,000 have passed through the weir there as of yesterday. At this time last year, fewer than 7,000 had been counted.

Based on historical data, this is the best June that Wislow has had since 2004.