(Palmer) - To protect returning king salmon and ensure fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing regulation for the Little Susitna River drainage effective 6:00 a.m. Sunday, May 1 through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Sport fishing for king salmon is restricted to catch-and-release only in the Little Susitna River drainage from its mouth upstream to the Parks Highway. In addition, sport fishing gear is restricted to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure. A single-hook is defined as a hook with only one point. Any king salmon caught, must be released immediately. A person may not remove a king salmon from the water before releasing the fish.

"The Little Susitna River achieved its escapement goal last season with the majority of the season being restricted to catch-and-release fishing,” stated Area Management Biologist Sam Ivey. "The last several years demonstrate no apparent trend in abundance. The Little Susitna king salmon fishery has the potential for higher sport harvest rates relative to other Northern Cook Inlet sport fisheries. The SEG is likely to be achieved through non-retention in 2022 if the final run size compares to the recent 3-year average. A weir will be used to evaluate run strength in-season on a daily basis should additional actions be necessary to either close the fishery or relax restrictions during the season."

In conjunction with this restriction, emergency order 2-KS-2-05-22 restricts fishing for king salmon in Units 1 - 6 of the Susitna River drainage to catch-and-release only. Sport fishing gear is restricted to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure in all waters of the Susitna River drainage. Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements in their entirety for the specific regulatory changes.

This management strategy is designed to provide sport fishing opportunities on the Little Susitna River and achieve the king salmon escapement goal during 2022.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Sam Ivey at (907) 746-6300.

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