This year’s salmon fishery is expected to be a slight improvement from last year.
Local Fisheries Resource Manager Mike Spence says they’re forecasting between 350 and 500-thousand sockeye this year, which is below average but an improvement over last year.
Spence said 75% of the sockeye are from Sproat Lake, and they’re concerned about a decreasing number coming from Great Central Lake, which could cause some fishing restrictions if the predicted return falls below 75,000 fish.
Spence says there will be sockeye fishing opportunities for all groups, and they’ll have a better idea about the Great Central run by the second week of June.
The Chinook run will be similar to last year with a forecast of 85,000 fish.