Regulations for Valley and Northern Cook Inlet set

The Alaska Board of Fisheries adopted several regulation changes this past winter that will be in effect for the 2011 fishing season.

King salmon fisheries

• The Chuitna, Theodore, Lewis and Beluga rivers are closed to sportfishing for king salmon.

• Goose Creek within Unit 2 of the Susitna River is closed to sportfishing for king salmon.

• On Parks Highway streams within Unit 2 of the Susitna River that are open to king salmon fishing:

a. The fishing season was shortened. Fishing is open until the third Monday in June and for the following two consecutive three-day weekends. For 2011, the season is from Jan. 1 to June 20, June 25-27 and July 2-4.

b. Through July 13, fishing for all species is allowed only from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

c. These new regulations apply to Willow, Little Willow, Grays, Caswell, Sheep, Montana, Sunshine and Rabideux creeks, and the Kashwitna River.

• On a portion of the Susitna River at the farthest downstream mouth of Willow Creek, also known as the “first mouth” of Willow Creek, through July 13, fishing from a boat for any species is prohibited. The area closed to fishing from a boat is from a marker located on the upstream bank, downstream about 300 yards to another marker.

• On the Talachulitna River, anglers retaining a king salmon 20 inches or longer must stop fishing for king salmon within a 1-mile radius of the mouth of the Talachulitna River for the remainder of the day.

Coho salmon fisheries

• In fresh waters of Cook Inlet, a coho salmon removed from the water shall be retained. No person may remove from the water a coho salmon he or she intends to release.

• The bag and possession limit for coho salmon is increased from two to three in streams of West Cook Inlet north of West Forelands to the Susitna River. Streams within this area include the Chuitna, Theodore, Lewis and tributaries of the Beluga River.

• The bag and possession limit for coho salmon is increased from two to three in all streams within Units 3, 5 and 6 of the Susitna River drainage.

General salmon fishery

• A youth-only fishery for anglers younger than age 16 was designated for the first Saturday and Sunday in August from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Sockeye, coho and pink salmon will be available for these youths from the mouth of Fish Creek upstream to a marker located a quarter-mile upstream of Knik-Goose Bay Road.

• Fishing for any fish species is closed within a half-mile radius of the mouth of Alexander Creek through July 13.

• On the Little Susitna River, after retaining a limit of salmon greater than 16 inches, anglers may not fish for any species on the Little Susitna River downstream of the Parks Highway the remainder of the day.

Northern pike fisheries

• The size limit for northern pike on Alexander Lake was repealed. Additional gear is also allowed.

• Alexander Lake anglers may continue to use five lines through the ice, but will now be able to use bow-and-arrow and spears to take northern pike, with no bag, possession or size limit year-round.

• Anglers may now fish for northern pike through the ice on Big and Nancy lakes under specific guidelines.

• In the Susitna River drainage, including all west-side tributaries and waters of the eastside Susitna River north of Willow Creek and in all West Cook Inlet area waters, northern pike may not be released back into the water alive. Further, anglers may choose to either discard dead pike in a responsible manner or harvest their catch.