The Alaska Department of Fish & Game is eliminating size limits for king salmon caught by sport fishermen in Sitka’s Silver Bay.

The new regulations take effect tomorrow, June 18. They run through July 31.

Normally, sport fishermen cannot keep any king salmon under 28 inches. Fish & Game is relaxing the limit in Silver Bay so anglers can target more of the fish returning to Medvejie Hatchery. The hatchery is expecting a larger return than it needs to replenish its stock.

Fish & Game also relaxed size limits in Silver Bay in 2012 and 2013, to allow a larger harvest of hatchery fish.

Regional bag and possession limits still apply: for Alaska residents, that’s a limit of three king salmon per day. Non-residents are allowed two king salmon per day in June, and one a day starting July 1.

Fish & Game biologist Troy Tydingco cautioned that the change only applies within the designated harvest area in Silver Bay. Sport fishermen in waters outside Silver Bay cannot have a king salmon under 28 inches in their possession — even if it was caught within the allowed area.

You can find details of the change posted here, or on bulletin boards at all of Sitka’s harbors.