Larson Creek Closing To Sockeye Fishing

The following is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

(Palmer) – With low sockeye salmon numbers in Larson Creek, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing sport fishing for all salmon species in the Larson Creek drainage and within a one-quarter mile radius of its confluence with the Talkeetna River effective 6:00 a.m. Thursday, August 6 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2020.

“The sustainable escapement goal for sockeye salmon in Larson Creek is 15,000 – 35,000 fish,” stated Area Management Biologist Sam Ivey. “The weir count through August 3, 2020, was 2,765 fish, the lowest count on record for this date. Closing sport fishing for all salmon species in the Larson Creek drainage will provide the greatest number of sockeye salmon contributing to the spawning escapement.”

Salmon may not be targeted, retained, or possessed and must be released immediately if caught incidentally. Sport fishing for and harvest of species other than salmon is not affected by this emergency order and may proceed 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. each day. Larson Creek is in Unit 5 of the Susitna River drainage. Additional regulatory information can be found on page 35 of the 2020 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulation Summary booklet.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Sam Ivey at (907) 746-6300.