(Anchorage) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is increasing the bag and possession limit for coho salmon, 16 inches or greater in length, to six fish in the Ship Creek drainage from its mouth upstream to a cable 100 feet downstream of the Chugach Power Plant dam. This regulation change is effective at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, August 19 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, December 31, 2021. The bag and possession limit for salmon, other than king and coho salmon, remains at three fish and is included in the total limit of six coho salmon.

“Things are looking good for meeting coho salmon brood stock needs at the hatchery and coho salmon keep coming into Ship Creek with each tide,” stated Area Management Biologist Jay Baumer. “With the anticipation of meeting hatchery needs, it is time to increase the bag and possession limits to allow anglers an opportunity to harvest surplus fish.”

Currently, it is estimated that over 2,500 coho salmon have made it upstream of the sport fishery. This will fulfill the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery coho salmon brood stock goal and natural spawning requirements for Ship Creek. Therefore, it is justified to increase coho salmon bag limits to provide anglers an additional opportunity to harvest surplus fish entering Ship Creek.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Jay Baumer at (907) 267-2265.

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