Wrangell District Ranger Clint Kolarich announced that the federal subsistence chinook salmon fishery in the Stikine River will close from May 15 to June 20 due to a low preseason forecast.

The predicted 7,400 chinook salmon greater than 28 inches in length is below the escapement goal range of 14,000 to 28,000.

According to the release, the closure of the chinook salmon fishery will not affect other federal subsistence fisheries in the Stikine River which begin on June 21.