Strong sockeye run opens Fish Creek to six salmon a day

An exceptional sockeye run has pushed Fish Creek past its escapement goal, and Fish and Game is opening the sport fishery early to let anglers take advantage.

Starting 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 3, the daily limit jumps to six salmon, no more than two of them coho. Kings stay closed. The bump runs through Aug. 15, after which the creek stays open the rest of the year at three salmon a day.

Assistant area biologist Oliver Querin said the run has cleared the escapement goal of 15,000 to 45,000 fish. The opening follows a youth-only weekend Aug. 1 and 2, and applies only to Fish Creek, not the Little Susitna, Eklutna Tailrace or the other Knik Arm waters.