New fishing regulations approved

Several new sport fishing regulations approved state fisheries board for Lower Cook Inlet take effect Wednesday. During the winter king salmon season ending March 31:
• The northern boundary of the winter king salmon sport fishery has been extended and is now marked by the Anchor Point Light.
• The bag limit between Bluff Point and the Anchor Point Light was boosted to two kings of any size. Those fish need not be recorded on anglers' harvest record.
• North of Anchor Point Light, the limit remains one king per day. If the fish measures at least 20 inches, it counts towards anglers' five-king annual limit and most be recorded.
During the early-run king harvest April 1-June 30:
• The closed area at the mouth of Anchor River has been extended to two miles north and south of the river -- and one mile offshore. During the last two years, state biologists have failed to reach their escapement goal of 5,000 Anchor kings that they believe necessary to sustain healthy runs. Some 4,400 kings reached their Anchor spawning grounds last year.
• When Deep Creek and the Ninilchik River are open to king salmon fishing, anglers may fish from shore in the salt water conservation zone that extends from south of the Ninilchik River to a marker two miles south of Deep Creek. Both waterways are open to three-day fishing weekends starting Memorial Day weekend.