Sockeye salmon bonanza, coho salmon drought

On Monday July 31, 2023 The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) announced Fish Creek near Knik Goose Bay Road would be open to sport salmon fishing August 1 - 11 on a daily basis from 5 am — 11p.m. with a liberalized limit of six salmon per day other than king or coho salmon. During this time period retention of coho salmon is not allowed except during the youth only fishery on Saturday and Sunday August 5 and 6 — when no more than 2 fish may be coho salmon. Fish Creek Weir counts through July 31 include 36,285 sockeye salmon and 1 coho salmon.

Following a management trend during recent years, ADF&G had limited Northern District commercial set netters to 1 net not to exceed 35 fathoms in the General Subdistrict (west side of the Northern District including Fire Island) for the July 20, 24, and 27 fishing periods (Upper Cook Inlet Commercial Fishing Announcement 22). After ADF&G determined (in some unexplained manner) that Susitna sockeye are achieving adequate abundance the amount of commercial gear allowed in the General Subdistrict was doubled for the July 31 and August 4 fishing periods (Announcement #29).

Having participated in the Lower Susitna River Personal Use Fishery, I saw and experienced an increased level of Susitna River sockeye salmon abundance in 2023, however, at the same time I saw and experienced a lower level of Susitna River coho salmon abundance in 2023. Basing commercial management solely on the upriver abundance of sockeye salmon, at a time in the season, when sockeye salmon harvests are declining in the commercial fishery, but commercial coho harvests are often peaking appears foolish.

Conversations with several fishing guides operating on the Deshka River and Little Susitna so far has revealed slow to fair sport coho catches. Through July 31 coho counts at Little Susitna Weir - 1,130 coho and Deshka Weir - 484 coho do not illustrate any coho abundance that could withstand doubled commercial harvests within the General Subdistrict, for even two peak commercial fishing periods, without significant negative consequences for Mat-Su sport coho salmon fisheries. At the very least, extra commercial effort may further retard harvestable inriver abundances of coho salmon into later August.

Coming Soon:

Youth Fishery at Fish Creek — mentioned earlier — August 5 and 6 from 5 am - 11 pm each day. The fishing area is rather small, but may have a large abundance of sockeye salmon and a smaller abundance of coho salmon. Limited to youth 15 years and younger.

Bait Opener at Little Susitna River — Sunday August 6. This is usually the largest salmon harvest day of the entire season at Little Susitna River and also the most crowded day of the fishing season. Most anglers use salmon roe for bait, but shrimp, various scents, and herring are also used.

Jim Creek Weir Counts — I was hoping to see and use these numbers when writing this week’s fishing column, but could not find them before the column deadline. Stay tuned.

Good Luck and Fish On!