King salmon fishing shut down in Susitna drainage

The Alaska Department of Fish and game has shut down king salmon fishing in the Susitna Valley.

The announcement came on Wednesday afternoon, and was the second in the last week restricting king salmon fishing in the area.

The king sport fishery was already heavily restricted in the Susitna Valley, with most areas already closed, and limited areas open to catch-and-release only. Last week’s emergency order limited the Little Susitna River, which had previously been open to retention, to catch-and-release as well.

In a written statement, Fish and Game Area Biologist Sam Ivey says the decision to completely shut down king salmon season was a difficult one, but that, “ADF&G has a duty to protect, maintain, and improve our sport fisheries and without these further restrictions we more than likely will not meet our escapement goals.” Ivey adds that Fish and Game recognizes the impacts the closures will have on many businesses as well as individual anglers.

The new restrictions go into effect this Friday.