Coho Bag Limits Increased On Pasagshak, Olds, and American Rivers

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

(Kodiak) – In support of increasing fishing opportunities, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is increasing the coho salmon bag limit for the Pasagshak, Olds, and American rivers to two per day and in possession through the end of the year. This regulatory change is effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, September 16 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2020.

On September 10, 2020, drone and foot surveys on these drainages indicated that coho salmon escapement was well above escapement goals of 1,200 fish in the Pasagshak, 500 fish in the Olds, and 400 fish in the American. With reduced travel to the island and the resulting reduced fishing effort, it is anticipated that the goals will be exceeded even with harvest through the end of the year. Therefore, it is warranted to increase the bag and possession limits for coho salmon in these sport fisheries.

“Coho salmon returns to the Kodiak Road System are strong this season and the Pasagshak, Olds, and American are among the larger runs,” stated Area Management Biologist Tyler Polum. “In light of current surveys and the low harvest anticipated due to reduced fishing effort this season, its warranted to allow increased harvest opportunity for coho salmon in these drainages.”