Coho Limits Reduced, Bait Prohibited For Little Susitna River Anglers

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

Little Susitna River Coho Salmon Limits Reduced and Bait Prohibited

(Palmer) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is reducing the bag and possession limit for coho salmon, 16 inches or greater in length, from two to one fish and prohibiting the use of bait in the waters of the Little Susitna River from its mouth upstream to the Parks Highway bridge. The following provisions will be effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, August 6, 2026, through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, 2026:

In the Little Susitna River, from its mouth upstream to the Parks Highway bridge:

• The bag and possession limit for salmon, other than king salmon, 16 inches or greater in length is three fish, of which no more than one per day and one in possession may be coho salmon; a person who takes a bag limit of salmon 16 inches long or longer from the Little Susitna River may not fish for any species of fish in the Little Susitna River downstream of the Parks Highway that same day.
• Only unbaited, artificial lures may be used.

The Little Susitna River coho salmon sustainable escapement goal (SEG) is 9,200 – 17,700 fish. Recent daily weir counts are well below average. Through August 3, 2026, only 438 coho salmon had passed upstream of the weir and the escapement goal is not projected to be achieved. At this time, it is justified to slow the harvest of coho salmon in the Little Susitna River until the run can be further assessed to ensure the SEG is achieved. Anglers are reminded that flowing waters upstream of the Parks Highway are closed to sport fishing for salmon.

The department will continue to monitor the Little Susitna River coho salmon run as it develops. If run strength improves to a level that can support a larger harvest, restrictions on the sport fishery may be relaxed or rescinded. However, additional restrictions are also possible if the run does not improve.

For more information, contact Samantha Oslund at (907) 746-6300.