Susitna Drainages, Little Susitna River Shutting Down For King Fishing

(Palmer) – In favor of protecting returning king salmon and increase fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation closure for the Little Susitna River drainage, effective 6:00 a.m., Friday, June 22 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 13, 2018. King salmon fishing is closed, including catch-and-release, in all waters of the Little Susitna River from its confluences with Cook Inlet upstream to the Parks Highway Bridge. King salmon may not be retained or possessed. King salmon caught must be released immediately. A person may not remove a king salmon from the water before releasing the fish.

This sport fishing regulation closure supersedes the restriction issued on June 13, 2018, that prohibited the retention of king salmon in the Little Susitna River from June 15 through July 13.

“Since mid-June, high water conditions have prevented ADF&G staff from counting king salmon as they pass through the weir. Nonetheless, substantiated reports from guides and anglers in conjunction with an observed low abundance of five-year king salmon which typically make up about half of the run on any given year by ADF&G staff, indicates that the Little Susitna River is experiencing a weak run of king salmon,” stated Area Management Biologist Sam Ivey. “To sustain the king salmon brood stock, it is imperative that ADF&G close the Little Susitna River to king salmon fishing. Low king salmon productivity is being felt not only in Southcentral Alaska but statewide and every fish counts towards achieving our escapements goals in 2018.”

In conjunction with this closure, a sport fishing regulation closure was issued for Units 1-6 of the Susitna River drainages closing king salmon fishing, including catch-and-release. In addition, sport fishing gear is limited to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure when fishing in Units 1-6 of the Susitna River drainages in those waters normally open to king salmon fishing.

Susitna River Drainages Closed to King Salmon Fishing

In favor of protecting returning king salmon and increase fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation closure for Units 1-6 of the Susitna River drainages effective 6:00 a.m., Friday, June 22 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 13, 2018. In addition, sport fishing gear is limited to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure when fishing in Units 1-6 of the Susitna River drainages in those waters normally open to king salmon fishing. Sport fishing for other species will be allowed seven days per week from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. this includes the waters within Unit 2 that are normally closed on certain days during the king salmon season. King salmon may not be targeted and those caught may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. For a complete description of these waters, anglers should refer to the 2018 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.

This sport fishing regulation closure supersedes the restriction issued on March 13, 2018, that closed king salmon fishing in Units 2, 3, 5, and 6 of the Susitna River drainage and restricted the Deshka River and Yentna River drainage, Unit 4, to catch-and-release only for king salmon.

“King salmon stocks throughout Cook Inlet, including the Susitna River drainages, are experiencing a period of low productivity. This was not an easy decision,” stated Area Management Biologist Sam Ivey. “ADF&G staff understands the frustrations and tremendous impact closing this fishery down has on anglers, local businesses, and guides, as we are also fishermen and women. Nonetheless, ADF&G has a duty to protect, maintain, and improve our sport fisheries and without these further restrictions we more than likely will not meet our escapement goals.”

In conjunction with this closure, a sport fishing regulation closure was issued on the Little Susitna River drainage closing king salmon fishing in all waters of the Little Susitna River from its confluences with Cook Inlet upstream to the Parks Highway Bridge.