(Palmer) - To protect returning king salmon and ensure fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation for the Little Susitna River drainage effective 6:00 a.m. Friday, May 1 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 13, 2020. Sport fishing for king salmon is restricted to catch-and-release in the Little Susitna River drainage from its mouth upstream to the Parks Highway. In addition, sport fishing gear is restricted to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure. A single-hook is defined as a hook with only one point. King salmon caught, must be released immediately. A person may not remove a king salmon from the water before releasing the fish.

“Like other Cook Inlet king salmon stocks, the Little Susitna River have been experiencing a period of low returns,” stated Area Management Biologist Sam Ivey. “Therefore, the Little Susitna River will be managed conservatively give uncertainties of the 2020 king salmon run strength.”

In conjunction with this restriction, emergency order 2-KS-2-08-20 Unit 2 of the Susitna River is closed to fishing for king salmon and fishing for king salmon in Units 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the Susitna River drainages are restricted to catch-and-release. Sport fishing gear is restricted to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure in all waters of the Susitna River drainage. Please review the emergency orders in their entirety.

This management strategy is designed to provide sport fishing opportunity on the Little Susitna River and achieve the king salmon escapement goal during 2020. A weir on the Little Susitna River will be used to gauge run strength inseason.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Sam Ivey at (907) 746-6300.

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