(Juneau) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is announcing that effective at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, September 1, fishing for coho salmon will be closed in Montana Creek including McGinnis Creek and Peterson Creek and Lagoon (north of Juneau; see map below). These closures will be in effect through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2026. Specific restrictions are as follows:

• The waters of Montana Creek, including McGinnis Creek, are CLOSED to coho salmon fishing. Coho salmon may not be targeted, retained, or possessed.
• The waters of Peterson Creek, including Peterson Lagoon, from intertidal saltwaters within a 200-yard radius of the creek mouth to the falls approximately 1.5 miles upstream are CLOSED to coho salmon fishing. Coho salmon may not be targeted, retained, or possessed.

Based on survey counts, coho salmon returns to Montana Creek have failed to achieve their escapement goal in 6 of the last 7 years. Similarly, Peterson Creek coho salmon have not achieved their escapement goal in 4 of the last 7 years. However, Peterson Creek coho salmon returns are showing signs of improvement by achieving the escapement goal in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Given these trends, conservative measures are necessary to protect the sustainability of coho salmon in both Montana Creek and Peterson Creek. ADF&G will continue to conduct coho salmon surveys on Montana Creek and Peterson Creek, and this action may be reconsidered if coho salmon returns improve.

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