(Anchorage) - Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is reducing the bag limit for coho salmon to one fish in all waters of the Anchorage Bowl Drainages Area that are open to salmon fishing, effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, August 14 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, September 30, 2024. The waters of Ship Creek, Eagle River, Glacier Creek (including California Creek), Indian Creek, Ingram Creek, Peters Creek, Placer River Drainage, Portage Creek Drainage, and Twentymile River drainages are restricted to three salmon per day and in possession, of which only one may be a coho salmon. Further, use of bait is prohibited in all flowing waters of the Anchorage Bowl Drainages Area. Only unbaited, artificial lures may be used, except in Bird and Campbell Creeks. This emergency order does not apply to the areas open to salmon fishing in the Bird and Campbell Creek drainages.

“Coho salmon counts throughout the surrounding area are indicating a poor run of coho salmon and anglers have reported poor coho salmon fishing success throughout the Anchorage area” stated Anchorage Area Management Biologist Brittany Blain-Roth. “It is warranted to manage the coho salmon fishery conservatively to alleviate pressure on smaller wild coho salmon runs. Anglers can still use bait and retain three coho salmon in Bird and Campbell Creeks; however, the restrictions apply to Ship Creek, where stream surveys indicate a low run and we must reduce harvest to ensure broodstock needs are met at the hatchery.”

Ship Creek typically has on average 65% of the coho salmon in the creek above the sport fishery by this point in time. Until a stream survey can be conducted to ensure the hatchery will receive enough fish to meet broodstock goals, restrictions are necessary. ADF&G staff will continue to monitor escapement as coho salmon return to the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery and relax these restrictions if there are indications that there will be enough fish to meet broodstock goals. In addition, additional restrictions are possible if the run does not improve.

For additional information, please contact Sport Fish Information Center in Anchorage at (907) 267-2218.

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