The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has released their 2022 Copper River Salmon forecast.
Forecasts of total run were calculated for Copper River wild sockeye salmon, Gulkana Hatchery sockeye salmon, Coghill Lake sockeye salmon, and for wild Prince William Sound (PWS) pink and chum salmon. Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation (PWSAC) and Valdez Fisheries Development Association (VFDA) provide additional forecasts for hatchery-specific stocks. In addition to forecasts, a summary of recent 10-year averages (2012–2021) of commercial harvest for most wild stocks and Gulkana Hatchery production is included (Table 2). Salmon forecasts are inherently uncertain and are primarily used to gauge the general magnitude of expected runs and set early-season harvest management strategy. In 2022, the department will continue to manage PWS and Copper River area commercial salmon fisheries inseason based primarily on the strength of salmon abundance indices including sonar counts, weir passage, aerial escapement surveys, and fishery performance data.
See the attached PDF file for the forecast.