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

August 06, 2015

FISH CREEK, COTTONWOOD CREEK, AND WASILLA CREEK COHO SPORT FISHING BAG AND POSSESSION LIMIT INCREASED AND DAYS ADDED TO WEEKEND-ONLY FISHERIES

Beginning 6:00 a.m., August 8, the bag and possession limit for coho (silver) salmon 16 inches or greater in length is increased to three fish in those waters of Fish Creek, Cottonwood Creek, and Wasilla Creek open to salmon fishing. Mondays are added to the weekend-only fisheries of Cottonwood and Wasilla creeks, allowing fishing to occur on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, and Fish Creek is liberalized to open 7 days per week. 

Anglers are reminded that sport fishing is only allowed in these waters from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and that the coho salmon limit is combined with the bag and possession limit of sockeye, chum, and pink salmon.

Coho salmon runs to certain small streams within Knik Arm to date are strong.  As of August 5, 859 coho salmon have passed the Fish Creek weir. Based on average run timing and current weir counts, the department projects escapement to exceed the sustainable escapement goal of 1,200 to 4,400 fish.  Previous studies indicate a strong correlation in run size between coho salmon runs to Fish Creek and runs to Cottonwood and Wasilla creeks. 

Jim Creek coho salmon runs are managed separately to achieve escapement goals established for those systems. Jim Creek and the stocked terminal fishery at the Eklutna Tailrace are unaffected by this emergency order.

Anglers are reminded that after taking a bag limit of salmon in all of these waters, a person may not sport fish that same day in any water open to salmon fishing.

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