Late coho arrive at Mat-Su Weirs and ADF&G expands sport harvest opportunities

In response to the arrival of significant numbers of late coho salmon at several Mat-Su Valley locations the Alaska Department of Fish and Game started issuing emergency order to allow expanded sport fishing salmon harvest opportunities.

Fish Creek salmon limit and days

Starting Tuesday at 5 a.m., the department liberalized the lower portion of Fish Creek to be open seven days per week from the normal Saturday and Sunday only time frame. In addition, the department increased the daily salmon bag limit (for salmon other than king salmon) to four fish per day. A total of 3,302 coho salmon had already passed the Fish Creek weir at the time this emergency order was issued.

Susitna River coho salmon limits increase

Starting Wednesday at 5 p.m., the department increased the Sustina Drainage sport coho salmon daily bag limit to four fish per person and the possession limit to eight fish per person. At the time this emergency order was issued 33,297 coho had already migrated past the Deshka River weir.

Cottonwood Creek and Wasilla Creek coho limit and days

Starting at 5 a.m. on Aug. 26, the department is increasing the coho salmon bag limit to four per person and also liberalizing the days salmon are allowed to be harvested from the normal Saturday and Sunday only to Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. This regulation applies to waters normally open to salmon fishing. This regulation change was based on the Fish Creek weir count.

Little Susitna River bait fishery opens

Starting at 5 p.m. on Wednesday the emergency bait restriction was lifted from the Little Susitna River downstream of the Parks Highway. The coho bag limit remains at two fish per person. This change was made based on the seasonal escapement count past the Little Susitna River weir of 9,435 coho as of the morning of August 23 — and the projection that the Sustainable Escapement Goal (SEG) of 10,100 — 17,700 coho salmon would be met.

Water levels and clarity on the Little Susitna River and the Parks Highway crossing tributaries of the Susitna River between Willow and Talkeetna has been good for the past several days despite wet cloudy weather. On the westside of the Susitna Drainage water level in the Deshka River was high at 3.45 measured at Deshka River weir on Tuesday.

Water level and clarity on the smaller streams like Fish Creek, Cottonwood Creek, Wasilla Creek, and Jim Creek is nearly always good. Sport fishing pressure has been light over the past week, especially at the more remote locations. With school in session, the state fair started, and hunting seasons underway expect the trend in light fishing pressure and good coho fishing to continue at many Mat-Su Valley locations through this weekend.

Note: a good percentage of salmon from specific streams are starting to display a rosy blush or red colors, although prime shaped more chrome colored coho are also present.

As the departments numerous sport fishing coho salmon liberalizations indicate there are now good numbers of coho salmon available throughout the entire Mat-Su Valley, and anglers may experience some of the better coho salmon catching opportunities of the season during the upcoming week.

Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting with ADF&G Commissioner Cotten and staff

Public comments to Mat-Su legislators, department staff, and the governor played a significant role in getting reasonable number of Northern Cook Inlet bound coho salmon passed through Central District commercial fisheries.

At the Aug. 22 meeting, more than 20 members of the public expressed there concerns for management of Northern Cook Inlet salmon stocks and in particular coho salmon stocks. The messages of passing sufficient numbers of coho salmon into Northern waters early in the season and passing enough salmon at that time to ensure reasonable sport fish harvest opportunities came through loud and clear. Hopefully the publics continuing efforts can result in such management and in particular for Northern Cook Inlet oho salmon stocks.

Thanks to all who attended and to all who participated.

Good Luck and fish on!

Andy Couch owns Fishtale River Guides and is a member of the Matanuska Susitna Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission. The views presented in this column are his own. You may want to visit his website at http://www.fish4salmon.com