(Palmer) - To increase the number of coho salmon passing through the Deshka River weir and conserve coho salmon across the Susitna River drainage, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is reducing the bag limit for coho salmon to one fish in all waters of the Susitna River drainage effective 12:01 a.m. Monday, August 14 through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, September 30, 2023. Waters of Alexander Creek, Unit 2 (Parks Highway streams), Unit 3 (upper Susitna north of Talkeetna), Unit 5 (Talkeetna River), and Unit 6 (Chulitna River) of the Susitna River drainage are restricted to three salmon per day and in possession, of which only one may be a coho salmon. Waters of Unit 1 (includes Deshka River and excludes Alexander Creek) and Unit 4 (Yentna River) of the Susitna River drainage are restricted to three salmon per day and six in possession, of which only one per day and two in possession may be a coho salmon. Further, use of bait is prohibited in all flowing waters of the Susitna River drainage. Only artificial lures are allowed.

“The Deshka River coho salmon sustainable escapement goal (SEG) is 10,200–24,100 fish. As of August 9, only 796 coho salmon have passed upstream of the weir with a projected escapement of 1,949 fish. Flooding that occurred early in the season may have resulted in some fish passing upstream undetected; however, daily weir counts since weir recovery indicate far fewer fish missed than needed to project achievement of the SEG,” stated Palmer Area Management Biologist Sam Ivey. “Reports by guides and anglers and observations by staff indicate below average fishing success on the majority of fishing days to date across the Susitna River drainage streams. Therefore, it is warranted to conserve coho salmon in the Susitna River drainage, while still providing limited harvest opportunity.”

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

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