Little Susitna to be closed to king salmon fishing for season

Frontiersman.com

PALMER — Last week, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued an order restricting king salmon fishing in the Little Susitna River to just a pair of long weekends in July. Thursday, the department closed the fishery for the season.

King salmon fishing in the Little Su is closed as of Saturday at 6 a.m., according to a press release issued by the department. The three-day weekends set for July 1-3 and July 8-10 have been suspended. The department has also restricted the use of gear to one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure for fishing in the Little Su for other species.

The order also restricts catch-and-release fishing for king salmon

According to the release, only 1,240 king salmon have passed through the Little Su weir, located at about River Mile 32.5. The department’s escapement goal for the fishery is 2,100 to 4,300 king salmon. Department officials said in the release that, “Weir counts to date indicate the escapement goal is not likely to be achieved without further restrictions.”