King salmon annual harvest limits restored to 5

PALMER — Anglers received great news just before the start of their weekend.

Late Friday afternoon, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued a press release to alert the public that as of 6 a.m. Saturday, the Department had restored the annual limit of five king salmon 20 inches or greater in length harvested in the Deshka River or Little Susitna River. King salmon harvested in the Deshka and Little Susitna rivers apply to the combined Cook Inlet annual limit of five fish. The emergency order runs through 11:59 p.m., Monday, July 13.

The Sustainable Escapement Goal (SEG) for the Deshka River is 13,000 – 28,000 king salmon. Through June 25, cumulative king salmon passage through the weir located at river mile 7 was 20,654 fish and run timing models project the escapement should be attained even with additional harvest from restoring the annual limit.

The SEG for the Little Susitna River is 900 – 1,800 king salmon based on a post-season aerial survey. To date 4,057 king salmon have passed the Little Susitna weir.

Anglers may use bait and multiple hooks in the Deshka River. While bait is not allowed in the Little Susitna River, anglers can use multiple hooks.

Restrictions remain in effect for Unit 4, including Lake Creek, for an annual limit of two king salmon. Harvest of kings is allowed Friday-Monday and anglers may use only single-hook artificial lures and no bait. A staff survey of Lake Creek indicated a run size that is likely to meet the escapement goal with the current restrictions; therefore Unit 4 of the Susitna drainage is not included in this emergency order.

All other emergency orders for units 1, 3, 5 and 6 remain in effect.

Information courtesy of ADF&G.