Division of Sport Fish
Dave Rutz, Director

Anchorage Headquarters Office
333 Raspberry Road
Anchorage, AK 99518


Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Doug Vincent-Lang, Commissioner

P.O. Box 115526
Juneau, AK 99811-5526
www.adfg.alaska.gov


Advisory Announcement
(Released: August 24, 2020 - Expired: December 31, 2020)

CONTACT: Sam Ivey
Area Management Biologist
(907) 746-6300

Little Susitna River Sport Fishery Restrictions Lifted

(Palmer) - The Little Susitna River coho salmon escapement goal is projected to be achieved for the 2020 run and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is relaxing restrictions imposed on the sport fishery earlier in the season. Effective 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, August 25 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2020, the use of bait is allowed and the bag and possession limit for coho salmon is restored to two fish.

The Little Susitna River coho salmon sustainable escapement goal (SEG) is 9,200-17,700 fish. Daily weir counts have recently increased and the cumulative escapement as of Monday, August 24, 2020, the weir count is 9,753 coho salmon and the SEG is projected to be met after accounting for harvest upstream of the weir. Therefore, it is justified to remove the restrictions previously placed on the sport fishery.

“In general, the coho salmon run on the Little Susitna River appears to be somewhat late, which led to some early season restrictions while the run was evaluated,” stated Area Management Biologist Sam Ivey. “It’s nice to see the recent pulses of fish enter the river to satisfy spawning escapement needs and allow the sport fishery to switch back to normal regulations. Bait fishing is an enjoyable way to finish out the season and two silvers per day makes it much easier to get up in the morning and get after it.”

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Sam Ivey at (907) 746-6300 or Cook Inlet Management Coordinator Matt Miller at (907) 267-2415.

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