Commercial Fishing

Commercial salmon fishing began in Cook Inlet in 1882 and started on Three Mile Beach in 1897.  Fish traps were operated at both ends of Three Mile beach until Alaska Statehood in 1959. Set netters have since continuously fished the location for.  In the past 60 years salmon have been primarily tendered to Anchorage, Kenai and Homer for processing from scows anchored off-shore. The vast majority of three Mile fish were canned and sent overseas especially to Japan.  Early in the 21st century, tenders were replaced by aircraft flying salmon to Anchorage. Strong Kenai River runs created more fishing time and exploitation of Northern bound stocks by the Cook Inlet drift fleet in the Central District of Cook Inlet. Northern District fishing time was curtailed to protect salmon resources, as managers sought new ways to exploit strong Kenai sockeye runs and protect Susitna and Chuitna River stocks.

Present Commercial Fishing on Three Mile Beach

Set Net Fishing

Tenders returned to Three Mile in 2008, as Copper River Seafoods became the major fish buyer. The King salmon season was closed in 2010 to protect the resource of the Chuitna and Theodore Rivers. Three Mile Beach salmon are served fresh in restaurants and groceriers all over the United. Wholesale prices have climbed to the highest level in 25 years. Alaska is the world leader in wild, sustainable salmon and can remain as such with careful, thoughtful management. Mining through salmon streams and displacing salmon from their migratory paths is not thoughtful management.

Commercial Fishing season on Three Mile Beach

Unloading brailed samlon to the tender.

By regulation, the Northern District king salmon fishery opens on Memorial Day in the last week in May and continues for four consecutive Mondays, from 7AM to 7PM. During the 2008 season, the Board also allowed a fifth king period on June 23.
By regulation, the general salmon season opens on the first Monday or Thursday after June 25 and continues until December 30. Typical peaks of the sockeye run are July 14-August 5; coho: July 22- August 15; chum: July 24-August 10; and pink: August 1- August 10th. Set netters have fished in the last 20 years as late as September 30, with strong fall silver runs.  The Northern District of Cook Inlet is unique in fishing all five species of salmon and having, by regulation, the longest salmon fishing season in Cook Inlet