King fishing virtually over in the Valley

MAT-SU — The Parks Highway streams and Little Susitna River are closed for the remainder of the king salmon season.

The affected waterways along the Parks Highway are the Kashwitna River and Willow, Little Willow, Grey’s, Caswell, Sheep, Montana, Goose, Sunshine, Birch Trapper and Rabideux creeks. Additionally, all flowing waters of the Susitna River are closed upstream from its confluence with the Deshka River to its confluence with the Talkeetna River.

The Little Susitna River has been closed from its mouth upstream to the Parks Highway. Alaska Department of Fish and Game was worried the closure of the Parks Highway streams would put additional pressure on the river, itself experiencing dismal returns.

Fish and Game issued the closures Tuesday and they take effect Friday at 6 a.m. and continue until July 14, considered the end of the king season. Fish and Game says escapement goals may not be met even with the closures.

“Overall consensus was that fishing has never been this poor,” the press release said.

See Friday’s edition of the Frontiersman for the complete story.