(Palmer) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is increasing the bag and possession limits for coho salmon, 16 inches or greater in length, to four per day and four in possession in all waters of Cottonwood and Wasilla creeks open to salmon fishing. In addition, fishing will be allowed on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays at Cottonwood and Wasilla creeks from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. each day. These provisions are effective 5:00 a.m. Friday, August 10 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 31, 2018.

The coho salmon limit is combination of the bag and possession limit of sockeye, chum, and pink salmon. After taking a bag limit of salmon in any of these waters, a person may not sport fish that same day in any water open to salmon fishing. Bait and multiple hooks, meaning no more than two single hooks or two treble hooks per line, will be permitted in these fisheries.

“There is a correlation in run size between salmon runs to Fish Creek and salmon runs to other Knik Arm streams, specifically Cottonwood and Wasilla creeks,” stated Assistant Area Management Biologist Sam Oslund. “ADF&G is expecting an above average coho salmon run to these waters; therefore, by allowing more days for sport fishing and increasing the bag and possession limits this provide anglers have an opportunity to harvest these additional fish.”

The Jim Creek coho salmon run is managed separately to achieve the escapement goal established for that system. Jim Creek and the stocked terminal fishery at the Eklutna Tailrace are unaffected by this emergency order.

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

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