Deshka River Fishing Restrictions Eased

On Friday, June 28th, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued a news release relaxing some of the regulations on king salmon fishing in the Deshka River.  As of the 28th, nearly 13,000 king salmon had passed the counting weir on the Deshka.  Based on projections from past years, Fish and Game is projecting a total escapement of 17,000 kings.  As a result multiple hooks and baiting will now be allowed on the river, effective June 29th.

Fish and Game says that all of the other restrictions on the Susitna River drainage will remain in effect.  This includes an annual limit of two king salmon, and single hooks with artificial lures only on all rivers except the Deshka.  Further details are available at the Fish and Game website.

Last year’s king salmon season was closed early due to low numbers of fish reaching their final spawning areas.  In previous statements, Fish and Game said that the reason for the conservative restrictions is to attempt to prevent an early closure of the 2013 king salmon season.