Coho must go back in the water on the Susitna and Little Susitna

Anglers can still fish for coho on the Susitna and Little Susitna. They just can't keep any.

Fish and Game projects 2,104 coho into the Little Susitna this year, against an escapement goal of 9,200 to 17,700.

The department closed retention of coho 16 inches or larger across both drainages effective Aug. 19, and limited gear to unbaited artificial lures. The restriction runs through the end of the year.

It is the second tightening this month. On Aug. 6 the department cut the coho bag from two fish to one and banned bait. The new orders, issued Aug. 17, cite four years of poor Susitna escapement and below-average Little Susitna returns.

More water tightens Sept. 1, when Parks Highway streams and many other Mat-Su and West Cook Inlet waters go to no bait and single hook only.

Two exceptions hold. Fish Creek stays open at three salmon a day, no more than two of them coho. Jim Creek is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and open 5 am to 10 pm the rest of the week.