Coho retention closes on Susitna and Little Susitna drainages Wednesday

Mat-Su anglers lose the fall silver harvest on the Susitna and Little Susitna at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, when the Alaska Department of Fish and Game prohibits retention of coho salmon 16 inches or longer in both drainages through the remainder of the year. Bait remains prohibited in all flowing waters of both drainages; only artificial lures are allowed.

The Little Susitna sustainable escapement goal is 9,200 to 17,700 coho. As of Monday, 1,385 fish had passed the weir, and the department projects a total escapement of 2,104, less than a quarter of the goal's floor. ADF&G cited four straight years of poor coho escapement in the Susitna drainage, below-average returns to the Little Susitna, and weak abundance indicators this year, saying the action "is warranted to conserve coho salmon."

There is no comparable count on the Susitna side. The Deshka River weir, which measures coho there against a goal of 10,200 to 24,100 fish, was damaged in July 15 flooding and is no longer operational, the department said in an earlier order. The larger drainage is being closed without a count.

This is the second step down this month, taken on both rivers at once. Orders effective Aug. 6 cut the coho bag limit from two fish to one and banned bait, in the Susitna drainage and in the Little Susitna from its mouth to the Parks Highway bridge, after only 438 coho had passed the Little Susitna weir through Aug. 3.

Last year's Little Susitna escapement came in at 4,506, less than half the bottom of the goal, and in 2024 both drainages were closed outright to coho fishing on Aug. 15. ADF&G issued similar bait and bag-limit orders on both rivers in August 2023.

Anglers with questions can contact Area Management Biologist Samantha Oslund in Palmer at (907) 746-6300. ADF&G says the restrictions may be rescinded if Upper Cook Inlet run strength improves.