Father, sons first cited under new fish ban

August 14, 2007

By John R. Moses

Frontiersman

TALKEETNA - No new restrictions on harvesting coho (silver) salmon appear on the horizon although the numbers from two fish counting spots are conflicting. A state biologist said Monday the situations is being watched.

&#8220You know, we've still got time to look at silvers,” said Dave Rutz, an area management biologist in the state Department of Fish and Game's Palmer office. &#8220Depending on who you talk to, the coho fishing has been fantastic or mediocre.”

Retention of sockeye salmon from rivers and creeks in the Susitna River drainage become illegal Saturday due to low returning fish counts documented on the Yentna River. The Yentna accounts for an estimated 50 percent of the drainage's salmon population and its numbers are expected to mirror the Susitna River.

Rutz said sport fishing protections on silvers exist - there is already a two-fish bag limit. Numbers at Fish Creek seem to show a strong population while counts on the Deshka River are &#8220lagging.”

&#8220It's probably somewhat below an average year,” Rutz said.

Things changed for fishermen within the past week.

Larson Creek was the hot spot for sockeye salmon fishing until Aug. 10. As soon as Friday turned to Saturday a new state restriction began making retention of red salmon illegal. An Anchorage fisherman and his sons were the first cited for violating a ban that many veteran fishing charter operators only learned of through the media.

Corye Kittle, 37, of Anchorage was cited by Talkeetna Wildlife Troopers for sport fishing for sockeye salmon in closed waters of Larson Creek.

The Palmer District Court will handle the matter, and bail was set at $170. The three sockeye salmon Troopers found were seized and donated to a local charity, according to the troopers' public information office.

Kittle was also issued a warning for allowing his children, who are minors, to catch and retain two sockeye salmon in closed waters.

Lt. Tory Oleck of the Alaska Bureau of Wildlife Enforcement Troopers said this busy weekend featured a new twist - troopers went out on patrol with game biologists who explained to members of the public why certain fish and game rules are in place.

&#8220It was an educational experience for the people we contacted,” Oleck said. &#8220That was a real nice change.”

Wildlife troopers are also concentrating on hunting codes now that hunting season has begun.

Contact John R. Moses at 352-2270 or e-mail him at john.moses@frontiersman.com.