Press Release ADF&G Logo
ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Sam Cotten, Commissioner

DIVISION OF SPORT FISH
Tom Brookover, Director

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

July 01, 2015

LITTLE SUSITNA RIVER OPENS TO THE USE OF BAIT

Bait will be allowed in the Little Susitna River from its mouth upstream to the Parks Highway beginning at 6:00 a.m., Friday, July 3 through the end of the king salmon season on July 13. Sport fishing gear and time restrictions implemented on the Little Susitna River in advance of the season have now been lifted and regulations listed in the Southcentral sport fish regulations summary booklet on page 46 are in effect, except that bait is allowed.  

The sustainable escapement goal (SEG) for the Little Susitna River is 900–1,800 king salmon based on a post season aerial survey. Past comparisons of the weir counts and aerial survey estimates indicate 40–60% of the fish passed through the weir are later assessed in the aerial survey. Therefore, a weir based management target of 2,200–4,500 should achieve the SEG if at least 40% of the weir count is enumerated in the aerial survey. 

To date, 4,366 king salmon have passed the weir with a projected passage of approximately 5,000 fish. The limited historical data comparing weir counts to aerial survey estimates project the upper end of the SEG should be exceeded and anticipated harvest above the weir is not expected to reduce the escapement below the SEG. 

In addition, an aerial survey was conducted on June 30, and 700–1,000 king salmon were observed upstream of the fishery, supporting the projection that the upper end of the SEG may be exceeded. Anglers are reminded that this emergency order expires July 13 at 11:00 p.m.  After this date, bait is not allowed until August 6 by regulation.