Alaska's Department of Fish and Game has prohibited the retention of coho salmon 16 inches or larger in the Susitna and Little Susitna River drainages, effective at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19 through the end of the year.
The closure comes as escapement numbers—the count of fish reaching spawning grounds—have declined significantly. The Little Susitna River has a sustainable escapement goal of 9,200 to 17,700 fish. As of August 17, only 1,385 coho salmon had passed the monitoring weir, with a projected total escapement of 2,104 fish.
The state cited four years of poor escapement performance in the Susitna River drainage, below-average returns to the Little Susitna River, and poor abundance indicators this year as reasons for the restriction. Bait use remains prohibited in the drainage; only artificial lures are permitted.
The department said it will continue to monitor coho run strength in Upper Cook Inlet and may rescind the restriction if conditions improve enough to support a harvest.