Multiple mid-July Mat-Su fishery changes

Since writing last week’s column I’ve heard of sockeye salmon being caught at Fish Creek out Knik Goose Bay Road. 54 sockeye were recorded passing the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) Fish Creek Weir through Monday July 8. Sport sockeye catches will likely increase as more fish migrate upstream through Sunday June 14. The Fish Creek salmon sport fishery will then close on July 15. From July 15 - 31 the Fish Creek dip net fishery MAY open, by emergency order, if ADF&G determines adequate escapement through the weir will likely occur.. Note: within the past decade I believe the earliest the Fish Creek personal use dip net fishery has ever opened has been July 19.

Emergency Hook Restrictions Expiration

The emergency single hook and hook size restrictions enacted by ADF&G on the Little Susitna River and all waters of the Susitna River drainage, normally open to king salmon fishing, expire after July 13 — with standard hooks allowed on Sunday July 14. Expect a rising number of Mat-Su salmon anglers to be fishing with the return to normal hook regulations.

Bait fishing opens at select Susitna River drainage locations on July 14 as well — check for specific waters where bait will be allowed in the handy dandy regulation booklet available at ADF&G offices. The bait opener will bring some extra fishing effort to the Big Susitna and tributary streams on Sunday, however available salmon may remain limited this early in the season. ADF&G’s Deshka River Weir data shows no salmon, other than king salmon, had migrated past the weir through Monday July 8. Early indications from Northern Cook Inlet commercial salmon harvests indicate a few coho salmon may be available in the lower sections of some Mat-Su Valley streams by the weekend.

On Monday and Tuesday of this week I guided guests who caught the first chum salmon of the season from my guide boat on Little Susitna River. Most of the chums hit small plugs, equipped with small single hooks, and put up a great tussle in a river swollen by rainwater earlier this week. King salmon, sockeye salmon, pink salmon, and chum salmon have all migrated through Little Susitna River weir, but in limited abundances through July 8. Note: From July 14 - August 5 Little Susitna River will remain restricted to artificial lure fishing only — No Bait.

When I spoke with ADF&G fisheries biologist, Samantha Oslund, this week she anticipated the department installing Jim Creek salmon counting weir early next week — like perhaps Monday or Tuesday. Salmon counts through the Jim Creek weir could be available on the ADF&G website later in the week. My personal experience has been that Jim Creek salmon numbers are often low until about July 25.

Personal Use Dip Netting opened on the lower Susitna River in an area de-marked by ADF&G signage on Wednesdays and Saturdays, only, from 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. July 10 - 31. Very few salmon have been taken in the past, during the first two open dates of this fishery.

Personal Use Salmon Catching — The Kenai River personal use dip net fishery also opened July 10 - 31, downstream of the Warren Ames Bridge. The Kenai River fishery is open 7 days per week from 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. With a sockeye salmon sonar count over 56,000 fish on Monday, catching in this dip net fishery may already be in full swing. A bit further South the Kasilof River continues to have strong daily sockeye counts past its sonar site above the Sterling Highway bridge. I’ve heard reports of people doing well on the Kasilof within the past week. A road trip North through Glennallen and down to Chitina may also provide good dip netting now as sockeye salmon sonar counts have been rising and river water levels have been fairly stable through Tuesday of this week. Note: By ADF&G emergency orders, all king salmon caught in any of the above mentioned personal use fisheries must be released immediately. All other salmon species may be retained until the household permit limit has been achieved.

Good Luck and Fish ON!