Fish and Game increases Deshka king harvest limit

A solid run of king salmon up the Deshka River has prompted Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologists to lift bag restrictions on fish 20 inches or longer.

The order, which raises the annual harvest limit from two to five, went into effect at midnight Saturday, according to a Fish and Game press release. It runs through July 13, and impacts the area of the Deshka River open to kings. Restrictions had been put in place in February.

The combined annual limit of two king salmon 20 inches or greater in length for the remainder of the Susitna River drainage and Little Susitna River remains in effect, according to Fish and Game.

“We are on track for achieving the Deshka king salmon goal with a run that could top recent years’ counts,” Sam Ivey, the area management biologist in Palmer, said in a press release. “Restoring the annual harvest limit for king salmon in the Deshka to five will provide opportunity for anglers to harvest additional king salmon.”

The Deshka’s annual limit was first cut to two fish in 2013. Last year, it was restored to five fish on June 26.

Through June 9, some 11,412 fish had passed the weir located at river mile 7, according to fish and game, which has set the chinook escapement goal for the Deshka at between 13,000 to 28,000 fish. In the last week, sonar counts have averaged more than 1,000 fish a day.

“Run timing models project the escapement should be attained even with additional harvest from restoring the annual limit,” according to the release.

The release said King salmon 20 inches or greater in length harvested in the Deshka River prior to June 11 apply to the combined annual harvest limit of five in Cook Inlet. Anglers are reminded that bait and multiple hooks are allowed in a section of the Deshka River. Refer to page 27 of the 2016 Southcentral sport fish regulation book for more information.