Contact:
Sam Ivey
Area Management Biologist
Phone: (907) 746-6300
June 22, 2012
Susitna River drainage king salmon anglers are advised that, in an effort to meet minimum escapement numbers, king salmon sport fisheries within the Susitna River drainage will be closed effective 6:00 a.m., Monday, June 25 through July 13. The closure prohibits sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. King salmon may not be retained or possessed; king salmon caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
Anglers are reminded that:
• Bait will remain prohibited on the Deshka River and only one, single-hook, artificial lure will be allowed in waters normally open to king salmon fishing through July 13.
• The Susitna River drainage remains open to fishing for finfish species other than king salmon. King salmon may not be targeted and those caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
King salmon stocks to Cook Inlet and throughout Alaska are experiencing a period of low productivity and low run strength. All indices of abundance suggest king salmon run-strength in the Susitna River is comparable with poor run strength trends experienced by other king salmon stocks in lower Cook Inlet and the Kenai Peninsula. To date, Deshka River weir counts combined with angler reports and staff surveys indicate a weaker than anticipated run of king salmon to the Deshka River. Angler and guide reports on other tributaries of the Susitna River combined with recent staff surveys also indicate weak return of king salmon to these areas. As of June 21, only 6,852 fish had passed the Deshka River weir and the total escapement is projected to be approximately 11,350 fish. The sustainable escapement goal for king salmon in the Deshka River is 13,000 to 28,000 fish. Any additional mortality associated with harvest or catch-and-release cannot be justified at this time and all fish entering the lower Deshka River and the rest of the Susitna drainage must be conserved if escapement goals are to be attained.
For more information, contact Sam Ivey at (907) 746-6300.
END