JUNEAU -- Alaska Wildlife Troopers in the Juneau area are cracking down on illegal snagging.

The Juneau Empire says the move comes after troopers received multiple reports daily of "snagging" by fishermen in the Gastineau Channel.

Troopers on Sunday conducted a surveillance operation to watch for anglers ripping weighted hooks through schools of salmon in hopes of snagging them. The surveillance operation was conducted at Channel Wayside Fishing Dock.

In a one-hour time period, three individuals received citations. One of them was a 16-year-old boy who was issued a $150 citation for retaining two snagged salmon.

All three individuals were given 30 days to respond to the citations in Juneau District Court.

Snagging is prohibited on and within 150 feet of the fishing dock.