(Palmer) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is reducing the bag and possession limit for coho salmon, 16 inches or greater in length, from two to one fish per day and one in possession and prohibiting the use of bait in the waters of the Little Susitna River from its mouth upstream to the Parks Highway bridge. The one fish coho salmon bag limit is in combination with the current limits for pink, chum, and sockeye salmon of three salmon, other than king salmon, per day and in possession. These restrictions are effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 15 through September 30, 2025.

“Extremely low water levels has stalled upstream migration of coho salmon,” stated Palmer Area Management Biologist Samantha Oslund. “This has created some uncertainty with our projections based on historical run timing. It’s prudent to be conservative and reduce the harvest of coho salmon until environmental conditions change and the run can be better assessed.”

All other sport fish regulations for the Little Susitna River remain unchanged and are outlined on pages 33-36 of the Southcentral sport fishing regulation summary booklet. Including a regulation that specifies after taking a bag limit of salmon in these waters, a person may not sport fish that same day for any species of fish in the Little Susitna River downstream of the Parks Highway.

The Little Susitna River coho salmon sustainable escapement goal (SEG) is 9,200 - 17,700 fish. A target management objective of approximately 10,200 fish is needed to ensure achievement of the SEG as the goal incorporates an anticipated harvest of nearly 1,000 fish upstream of the weir. As of August 12, 2025, only 2,576 coho salmon passed upstream of the weir and the escapement is projected to be 4,880 fish which is well below the lower end of the SEG. At this time, it is justified to reduce the harvest of coho salmon in the Little Susitna River until the run can be further assessed.

ADF&G will continue to monitor the Little Susitna River coho salmon run as it develops. If run strength improves to a level that can support a larger harvest, restrictions to the sport fishery may be rescinded and additional restrictions are possible if the run does not improve.

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

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