(Juneau) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is announcing that beginning at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, September 1, fishing for coho salmon will be closed in Montana Creek and Peterson Creek (north of Juneau; see map below). These closures will be in effect through December 31, 2024. Specific restrictions are as follows:

• The waters of Montana Creek, including McGinnis Creek, are CLOSED to coho salmon fishing. Coho salmon may not be targeted, retained, or possessed.

• The waters of Peterson Creek, including Peterson Lagoon, from intertidal waters within a 200-yard radius of the creek mouth at salt water to the falls approximately 1.5 miles upstream are CLOSED to coho salmon fishing. Coho salmon may not be targeted, retained, or possessed.

Based on survey expansions, coho salmon returning to Montana Creek have failed to meet escapement in 4 of the last 6 years. Similarly, Peterson Creek has not met escapement in 4 of the last 6 years. Given these trends, conservative measures are necessary to protect the sustainability of coho salmon in both Montana Creek and Peterson Creek during this period of very low escapements. ADF&G will continue to conduct coho salmon surveys on Montana Creek and Peterson Creek and this action may be reconsidered if coho salmon return in abundance.

For further information concerning this announcement please contact Juneau Area Management Biologist, Daniel Teske at (907) 465-8152.

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