Southwest Alaska Salmon Habitat: Projects in Progress

Wood-Tikchik State Park

Agulowak River: The Agulowak River is one of the salmon rich jewels of Southwest Alaska. This 4.5-mile long river flows from Lake Nerka to Lake Aleknagik within the Wood-Tikchik State Park. The river provides a robust fishery for sport anglers, subsistence and commercial users. The Conservation Fund is negotiating with Aleknagik Natives Limited for a conservation easement on their land within Wood-Tikchik State Park including both banks of the Agulowak River and approximately 39 miles of shoreline along Lakes Aleknagik and Nerka; a total of about 20,783 acres. The land has high fish and wildlife values and is heavily used for subsistence and recreation. In 2004, with support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and many other partners, the Fund protected 117 acres along the Agulowak River.

Agulukpak River: The Agulukpak is one of the highly productive rivers that connect the large lakes of the Wood-Tikchik State Park. The ‘Pak flows two miles from Lake Beverley to Lake Nerka. Like the Agulowak it is a major spawning area for sockeye salmon and supports a high density of rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. The Conservation Fund is working to protect the conservation values of three Native allotments near the mouth of the River and one at the start of the ‘Pak.

Togiak National Wildlife Refuge

Togiak River: The Conservation Fund is working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the conservation values of several Native allotments along the Togiak River within the wilderness area of the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge. Agreements have been reached on nine tracts along the Togiak River with a total of 1,360 acres. The agreements are moving towards closing in the next few months. All of the properties currently under agreement are along the salmon rich Togiak River, which is the primary source of salmon for local Native communities, a major supplier of the fish caught commercially in the Togiak District, and supports a popular and productive sport fishery.

Alagnak Wild River

Alagnak River: The Alagnak River is a major tributary of the Kvichak River, which historically has produced the world’s largest sockeye salmon runs. The Alagnak is heavily used for sport angling and supports the subsistence needs of local communities. Several allotments are being considered for conservation agreements.

Becharof National Wildlife Refuge

Big Creek: An agreement has been reached on a 40-acre allotment, one of the few private tracts along Big Creek within the Becharof National Wildlife Refuge. Big Creek is a tributary of the Naknek River and a major spawning area for king, chum and silver salmon. It is a popular subsistence harvest and sport angling destination.

Becharof Lake: Negotiations are progressing for a 160-acre tract along Becharof Lake. Becharof Lake and its tributaries produce the second largest sockeye run in the world and support one of the states highest brown bear densities.

Alaska Peninsula

State Critical Habitat Areas: Discussions are beginning with Native corporations for conservation easements within State of Alaska designated Critical Habitat Areas along the north side of the Alaska Peninsula. Port Moeller/Nelson Lagoon, Pilot Point, Cinder River and other lagoons provide world class migratory bird habitat and are import links for major anadromous fish systems such as the Ugashik, Dog Salmon, King Salmon, Cinder and Sapsuk rivers.

Lower Kuskokwim River

The Fund and its partners are in discussions with select allotment owners along the Goodnews, Kanektok, and Arolik Rivers. All of these rivers are major contributors to the regional fishery. They support the economies and subsistence needs for local communities and are renowned for their sport fisheries.