Coho Salmon Fishing Regulation Updates

Coho photos by ADFG

The following press releases are courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Cottonwood and Wasilla Creeks Coho Salmon Limits and Days Liberalized

(Palmer) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is increasing the bag and possession limits for coho salmon, 16 inches or greater in length, to four per day and four in possession in all waters of Cottonwood and Wasilla creeks open to salmon fishing. In addition, fishing will be allowed on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays at Cottonwood and Wasilla creeks from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. each day. These provisions are effective 5:00 a.m. Friday, August 10 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 31, 2018.

The coho salmon limit is combination of the bag and possession limit of sockeye, chum, and pink salmon. After taking a bag limit of salmon in any of these waters, a person may not sport fish that same day in any water open to salmon fishing. Bait and multiple hooks, meaning no more than two single hooks or two treble hooks per line, will be permitted in these fisheries.

“There is a correlation in run size between salmon runs to Fish Creek and salmon runs to other Knik Arm streams, specifically Cottonwood and Wasilla creeks,” stated Assistant Area Management Biologist Sam Oslund. “ADF&G is expecting an above average coho salmon run to these waters; therefore, by allowing more days for sport fishing and increasing the bag and possession limits this provide anglers have an opportunity to harvest these additional fish.”

The Jim Creek coho salmon run is managed separately to achieve the escapement goal established for that system. Jim Creek and the stocked terminal fishery at the Eklutna Tailrace are unaffected by this emergency order.

Fish Creek Coho Salmon Limits Liberalized

(Palmer) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is increasing the bag and possession limits for coho salmon, 16 inches or greater in length, to four per day and four in possession in all waters of Fish Creek open to salmon fishing. The bag limit for salmon, other than king salmon, remains at six per day and six in possession, which of those six salmon only four per day and in possession may be coho salmon. In addition, sport fishing on Fish Creek will be allowed seven days per week from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. each day. These provisions are effective 5:00 a.m.Thursday, August 9 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 31, 2018.

After taking a bag limit of salmon, a person may not sport fish that same day in any waters open to salmon fishing. Bait and multiple hooks, meaning no more than two single hooks or two treble hooks per line, will be permitted in these fisheries.

This sport fishing regulation liberalization supersedes the Fish Creek coho salmon limits increase issued on August 7, 2018.

“This emergency order allows anglers to harvest additional coho salmon from the waters of Fish Creek that are open to salmon fishing,” stated Area Management Biologist Sam Ivey. “Based on weir counts, the projected escapements for coho and sockeye salmon are expected to be over the higher threshold of the SEG; therefore, it is warranted to allow sport fish anglers not only additional days to harvest salmon but an opportunity to harvest extra salmon on Fish Creek.”

The Jim Creek coho salmon run is managed separately to achieve the escapement goal established for that system. Other Knik Arm waters, including the Little Susitna River, Eklutna Tailrace, and Wasilla and Cottonwood creeks remain unaffected by this emergency order.