Contact:
Sam Ivey
Area Management Biologist
Phone: 907-746-6300

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, August 6, the bag and possession limit for coho (silver) salmon 16 inches or greater in length is increased from two to three fish in the waters of the Little Susitna River from its mouth upstream to the Parks Highways bridge. The coho salmon bag limit is in combination with current limits for pink, chum and sockeye salmon; three fish per day and in possession. 

By regulation, anglers are allowed to use bait and multiple hooks in this section from August 6 through September 30. 

Anglers are reminded that after taking a bag limit of salmon in these waters, a person may not sport fish that same day for any species of fish in the Little Susitna River that same day, and anglers may not remove a coho salmon form the water before releasing the fish.

The sustainable escapement goal (SEG) for coho salmon in the Little Susitna is 10,100-17,700 fish.  As of August 4, a total of 8,320 coho salmon have passed the Little Susitna weir.  Based on weir counts and using average run timing, the department is projecting to exceed the SEG. By August 6, as much as 50 percent of the harvest has typically taken place in the sport fishery.  It is not anticipated that increased sport harvest from this emergency order will lower escapement below the goal in the Little Susitna River. Therefore it is warranted to provide additional sport fish harvest opportunity. 

For more information, contact Sam Ivey at (907) 746-6300.