The 2026 Bristol Bay sockeye salmon season was a smaller one. After a dozen years of record and near-record runs, the bay's commercial sockeye harvest came in at about 30.1 million fish, down from 41.2 million in 2025. Our family's catch was down too, by about 10%. We beat the bay's average by splitting our operation between two fishing areas. We also fished through a 40-knot day I won't forget.
Here's how the summer went, from the first opener to the last.
Waiting on the kings
We got to Bristol Bay in mid-June and then we waited. There were already plenty of sockeye up the river, but Fish and Game wanted more king salmon past the counting tower and onto the spawning grounds before the main district opened. So we worked on boats, gear and the cabin. I took two new crew members over to Igushik, which opens before the main district, to train them. Fishing was slow over there, but we caught a few.
Our first opener in the Nushagak District came on June 27 at 11 AM. We went out early to get ice so we could put our nets in right at 11. Early in the season, Fish and Game sets each fishing period a few hours ahead, based on how many salmon are coming into the district and whether enough are getting upriver to spawn. Some periods ran through the middle of the night. One went from 1 AM to 10 AM. The tide doesn't care what time it is.
The 40-knot day
The day I think about first from this summer is the day the wind blew up to 40 knots. The waves were huge. We had five guys on the skiff.
To pick a setnet, you have to get the skiff under it. I was driving, and four guys were up front with the net hook, pulling the net up over the bow and controlling it. The net is anchored at both ends, so we weren't going to lose it. The risk on a day like that is people. When the waves are throwing the boat around and you're reaching for a net, it's a lot easier for someone to get pulled over the side.
From the motor, I watch the waves and keep the bow into them. I try to balance out the wind, the waves and the net so the skiff sits still right next to it. The crew did a great job that day. We stayed safe and caught a lot of fish.
Two fishing areas, one family
The biggest change this year was that we split up. My dad, Paul Owens, fished the Wood River Special Harvest Area, and I stayed down on the Combine, the eastern beach of Nushagak Bay where we usually fish.
The Wood River Special Harvest Area is a stretch of the lower Wood River that Fish and Game can open when more Wood River sockeye are headed up to the lakes than the spawning goal needs, while fishing in the main district is held back to protect other Nushagak runs (Alaska regulation 5 AAC 06.358). Fish that would have gone uncaught get harvested, and the other runs still get what they need.
Dad and the crew up there lived on the Bucko, our live-aboard. She's a Rawson that sleeps three in the front berth. We pulled the fishing gear off her back deck and put a roof over it. We have two Starlinks, one on the Bucko and one at the cabin, so the two halves of the operation could talk during openers.
Splitting between the two areas made us much more productive. It's the main reason our family ended the year down about 10% on sockeye while the bay as a whole was down more than a quarter.
How the 2026 Bristol Bay run compared
- Baywide: About 30.1 million sockeye harvested in 2026, compared with 41.2 million in 2025 (PSPA season summary).
- Nushagak District: By late July, the run was just over 15 million fish against a forecast of about 19 million, with a commercial harvest of about 9 million (MidCurrent, July 29, 2026).
- The big picture: Fish and Game management biologist Travis Elison put it simply: "We've just gone through 12 years of pretty much the biggest production in Bristol Bay history. And now we're back towards more of a historical average run size."
A smaller run isn't a broken one. Escapement comes first, and the fishing opens only when there are fish to spare. That's what keeps the run coming back, and it's the same reason we waited on the kings in June.
Everything else from the season
- Fuel in Dillingham hit $9.96 a gallon. Getting fuel, ice and gear out to a remote fishery is a big part of what it costs to do this.
- The crew ran strong. Nate and Noah each run a boat during the regular season, and they work well together without anyone being the boss.
- Midnight fishing. Some of the best weather of the season showed up at midnight, with the net still coming aboard in the last light on the Nushagak.
- Our last fishing day was July 27. Then we cleaned up, put the gear away and headed home.
What this means for your freezer
A smaller run means less wild Bristol Bay sockeye to go around this year. Our sockeye is frozen and shipping now. If you like to keep wild salmon in the freezer through the winter, the Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon 12-pack and the Seafood Plan are the best ways to do it. If you're new to us, a one-time sample box is an easy place to start.
Curious how wild sockeye stacks up against what's in the grocery store? Read our guide to wild salmon vs farmed salmon. Or look back at our 2025 season update.
FAQ: the 2026 Bristol Bay salmon season
How big was the 2026 Bristol Bay sockeye harvest?
About 30.1 million sockeye, down from 41.2 million in 2025. The run returned toward its long-term average after 12 years of record and near-record production.
When does the Bristol Bay salmon season run?
Mainly June and July. Our first opener in the Nushagak District was June 27 in 2026, and our last fishing day was July 27.
What is the Wood River Special Harvest Area?
It's a section of the lower Wood River that the Alaska Department of Fish and Game can open when Wood River sockeye are coming back above their spawning goal, while fishing in the main Nushagak District is restricted to protect other runs.
Is Bristol Bay sockeye still available after a smaller season?
Yes. Our sockeye is frozen at peak freshness and sold through the year until it runs out. In a smaller year like 2026, that can happen sooner.
— Captain Luke
