Little Susitna River Coho (Silver) Salmon Fish Counts
Real-time and historical weir counts tracking Coho (Silver) salmon on the Little Susitna River—a popular Mat-Su Valley fishery facing recent conservation challenges.
Understanding Little Susitna Coho Runs
The Little Susitna River ("Little Su") is a highly accessible Mat-Su Valley fishery flowing through the Nancy Lake State Recreation Area. Coho salmon are counted at a weir as they migrate upstream to spawn. While historically known for good Silver salmon fishing, recent years have seen concerning declines prompting management restrictions.
🐟 Coho Run (Mid-July – End of September)
Silver salmon typically begin arriving in mid-July, with peak passage occurring in August through mid-September. The weir operates from approximately July 15 through October 1.
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About Little Susitna River Coho Salmon Fishing
The Little Susitna River, locally known as the "Little Su," is a 110-mile waterway flowing through Alaska's Mat-Su Valley. Its road accessibility and proximity to Anchorage (about 50 miles) have made it one of the region's most popular Coho salmon fisheries. However, recent years have seen concerning Silver salmon declines, resulting in emergency management actions including fishery closures.
Recent Conservation Concerns
The Little Susitna Coho population has fallen dramatically below its Sustainable Escapement Goal (SEG) of 9,200-17,700 fish in recent years:
• 2025: Only 4,239 fish projected—bag limit reduced to 1 fish Aug 15, bait prohibited, closed to retention Aug 21
• 2024: Approximately 5,500 Coho counted—below escapement goal
• Historical Returns: The fishery has historically seen runs of 15,000-25,000+ fish
These declining numbers have prompted ADF&G to implement progressive restrictions to protect spawning stocks.
Run Timing & Peak Fishing
Little Susitna Coho salmon typically arrive in mid-July, with peak passage in August through mid-September. The weir operates from approximately July 15 through October 1. When open, the best fishing occurs in the lower river from the Parks Highway bridge downstream where fish hold before moving upstream.
2025 Regulatory Actions
Due to low returns, ADF&G issued multiple emergency orders in 2025:
• August 15: Bag limit reduced to 1 Coho salmon, bait prohibited
• August 21: Little Susitna River closed to retention of Coho salmon
• Catch-and-Release: May continue where permitted, but anglers should exercise extreme caution to minimize handling stress
Always check current ADF&G emergency orders before fishing.
Weir Monitoring
The Little Susitna weir provides accurate daily escapement counts as Coho migrate upstream. This monitoring is essential for inseason management decisions and tracking population trends. The weir captures the full run from mid-July through the end of September.
Access & Location
The Little Susitna River offers excellent road access, making it popular with Anchorage-area anglers:
• Burma Road Access (Little Susitna Public Use Facility): Boat launch and campground at river mile 50
• Parks Highway Bridge: Popular bank fishing access
• Nancy Lake State Recreation Area: Multiple access points along the river
• Distance from Anchorage: Approximately 50 miles via Glenn/Parks Highway
Fishing Regulations (When Open)
Standard regulations for Little Susitna Coho when the fishery is open:
• Bag Limit: 3 Coho salmon per day (may be reduced by emergency order)
• Possession Limit: 6 Coho salmon
• Bait: Allowed unless prohibited by emergency order
• Single Hook: Required in some areas
Due to frequent emergency orders, always verify current regulations before heading out.
Other Fishing Opportunities
While Coho fishing may be restricted, the Little Susitna offers other excellent fishing:
• Pink Salmon: Strong runs in even years (July-August)
• Chum Salmon: Present throughout summer
• Rainbow Trout: Available year-round, catch-and-release encouraged
• Arctic Grayling: Found throughout the system
• Northern Pike: Popular in connected lakes
Conservation & Recovery
Supporting Little Susitna Coho recovery requires patience from the angling community. Respecting closures, practicing careful catch-and-release techniques when targeting other species (to minimize incidental Coho catch), and staying informed about regulations all contribute to rebuilding this fishery.
Tracking Little Susitna Coho fish counts helps document the population's status and supports science-based management essential for restoring this once-productive Silver salmon fishery.