2001 Hoonah Sound Herring Fishery Update
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Friday, April 27, 2001

There are 1.2 miles spawn evenly developed between Vixen and Emmons Island. Quite a few fish between Chichagoff Island and Emmons Island. Most people have fish in pounds, there maybe a few without. Next flight will be 4/28 8:30 am.

Thursday, April 19, 2001

Department staff flew Hoonah Sound this morning on the way to Lisianski Inlet where spawn was reportedly seen by someone at some time. Viewing conditions were ideal. Hoonah Sound has not changed from yesterday with no large numbers of sea lions in any one place other than they continue to be scattered in small groups around the south side of Moser Island (total of 23). There were 18 sea lions in the Fick Cove /South Arm area and 18 from Finger River into North Arm. Only 5 were seen around Emmons/Vixen. Peschani Point to Point Elizabeth area had 2 whales and 13 sea lions as well as a couple of small schools of herring on the beach. The department will probably fly again on Saturday morning, April 21.

There is no indication that there has been any spawn in Lisianski Inlet and only few sea lions were observed.

Wednesday, April 18, 2001

An aerial survey was conducted of the Hoonah Sound area this morning. The distribution of sea lions remained basically unchanged from the previous survey. The highest concentration of sea loins continues to be found around Finger River and the southeast side of Moser Island (Pederson Pt). Eight sea lions were in the mouth of Fick Cove and 6 were seen outside of Emmons Island. No herring or herring spawn was seen. The next survey will be no later than Friday April 20.

Monday, April 16, 2001

Department staff flew Hoonah Sound Monday afternoon. Conditions were ideal. There was a substantial increase in sea lions in the Hoonah Sound area with most concentrated near Finger River (50) and southeast Moser Island (26). There were 7 sea lions in the North Arm, 5 in the South Arm, 10 on the east side of Emmons, 2 off Rodgers Point, and 4 travelling north off Ushk Bay. The pound area (Emmons/Vixen) remained pretty much unchanged from the previous survey. Two 50 ton schools were seen on the beach near Point Elizabeth at the entrance to Rodman Bay. No whales were seen during this flight. The next survey will be Wednesday morning.

Saturday, April 14, 2001

Department staff flew Hoonah Sound, Peril Strait, and Lisianski Inlet Saturday morning. No herring were seen. In Hoonah Sound the largest concentration of sea lions was off Finger River where 42 were counted. There were 6 sea lions off the northeast side of Emmons Island and two in the channel between Emmons I. and the Chichigof shoreline. In summary the traditional pound area looked generally quiet and it did not appear that any large amount of herring were staging in the area. I will fly Hoonah Sound this Monday afternoon.

No herring were seen in Lisianski Inlet. There were 35 sea lions scattered in smaller groups from the north of Lisianski Strait to Pelican in Lisianski Inlet. An additional 3 sea lions were off of Phonograph Creek.

Contact:  Andy McGregor (andy_mcgregor@fishgame.state.ak.us)