State biologists forecast a strong but not exceptional 2026 Bristol Bay sockeye run

State biologists forecast a strong but not exceptional 2026 Bristol Bay sockeye run

Fishery biologists expect another strong year for sockeye salmon in southwestern Alaska’s Bristol Bay region, site of the world’s largest runs of the fish, also known as red salmon. Next year’s run is not expected to equal the magnitude of the huge runs in some recent record-breaking and near-record years, however, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s preseason forecast. The forecast, released earlier this month, predicts a retu…