Susitna River, Ship Creek Coho Limits Increased
(Palmer) – Due to a large run of coho salmon into the Susitna River drainage, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is increasing the bag and possession limit for coho salmon, 16 inches or greater in length, to four per day and eight in possession in all waters open to salmon fishing in the Susitna River drainage, Units 1-6. However, no more than three per day and six in possession may be pink, chum, and sockeye salmon in combination. These provisions are effective 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 14 though 11:59 p.m., Monday, December 31, 2018.
“ADF&G has received positive reports from sport anglers and guides that they are experiencing above average catch rates across all clear water tributaries in the Susitna River drainage,” stated Area Management Biologist Sam Ivey. “This is a strong indicator of a large run of coho salmon; therefore, it is warranted to increase the bag and possession limits and allow anglers an opportunity to harvest additional coho salmon for the season.”
On August 12, 2018, the sustainable escapement goal for coho salmon was achieved in the Deshka River. The run is likely trending with late run timing models this season due to environmental factors that stalled fish passage earlier in August and the upper bound of the escapement goal is likely to be exceeded. Past studies indicate that the Deshka River coho salmon stock can comprise from 7 percent to
17 percent of the mainstem Susitna River total abundance. Given this information, it is likely the Susitna River is experiencing a well above average run of coho salmon.
For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Sam Ivey at (907) 746-6300.
(Anchorage) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is increasing the bag and possession limit for coho salmon, 16 inches or greater in length, to six per day and six in possession in the Ship Creek drainage from its mouth upstream to a cable 100 feet downstream of the Chugach Power Plant Dam. These provisions are effective 12:01 a.m.Wednesday, August 15 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 31, 2018.
“The recent rain has brought in a good slug of coho salmon into local streams,” stated Area Management Biologist Jay Baumer. “Fishing for coho salmon has been really good and we have enough past the dam to warrant increasing the bag limit.”
On August 13, 2018, ADF&G staff counted 1,689 coho salmon on Ship Creek upstream of the fishery. This escapement is anticipated to fulfill the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery coho salmon broodstock goals and natural spawning requirements for Ship Creek; therefore, it is warranted to increase the coho salmon bag and possession limit to provide anglers an additional sport fish opportunity to harvest surplus hatchery fish.
For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Jay Baumer at (907) 267-2265 or the Sport Fish Information Center at (907) 267-2218.