Latest Deshka River king count: 95 on Jul 14, 2026 (ADF&G, preliminary). 2026 season count: 6,687 fish (Jun 5 – Jul 14).
- Latest daily count
- 95
- Jul 14, 2026
up 87 vs Jul 13 - 2026 season total
- 6,687
- Jun 5 – Jul 14
2025 to the same date: 1,455 - vs 3-year average
- 242%
- of the 2023–2025 average to Jul 14 (2,758)
- Peak day
- 618
- Jun 24, 2026
- 7-day total
- 433
- Jul 8 – Jul 14
down 37% vs the 7 days before
Below the goal range
ADF&G SEG goal: 9,000–18,000
2026 passage: 6,687 fish counted through Jul 14. Passage is the fish counted at the site (preliminary), not final escapement.
- 2026
- 2023–2025 average
- SEG goal
- Daily count
Chart data (weekly running totals)
| Date | 2026 running total | 2023–2025 average running total |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Jun 8 | 438 | 165 |
| Jun 15 | 1,178 | 336 |
| Jun 22 | 3,253 | 1,540 |
| Jun 29 | 5,561 | 2,281 |
| Jul 6 | 6,206 | 2,539 |
| Jul 13 | 6,592 | 2,745 |
| Jul 14 | 6,687 | 2,758 |
| Jul 20 | after the latest count | 2,849 |
| Jul 27 | after the latest count | 2,876 |
| Aug 3 | after the latest count | 2,905 |
| Aug 10 | after the latest count | 2,918 |
| Aug 17 | after the latest count | 2,952 |
| Aug 24 | after the latest count | 2,956 |
| Aug 28 | after the latest count | 2,959 |
| Date | Fish counted | Change vs prior count | Season total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 5 | 7 | −102 | 6,150 |
| Jul 6 | 56 | +49 | 6,206 |
| Jul 7 | 48 | −8 | 6,254 |
| Jul 8 | 8 | −40 | 6,262 |
| Jul 9 | 159 | +151 | 6,421 |
| Jul 10 | 62 | −97 | 6,483 |
| Jul 11 | 57 | −5 | 6,540 |
| Jul 12 | 44 | −13 | 6,584 |
| Jul 13 | 8 | −36 | 6,592 |
| Jul 14 | 95 | +87 | 6,687 |
| 2026 season total | 6,687 | ||
| 2023–2025 average to the same date | 2,758 | ||
Source: ADF&G daily fish counts, preliminary; ADF&G can revise them. Days with no count above zero are skipped.
Deshka River King Salmon Fish Counts
Real-time and historical weir counts tracking Chinook (King) salmon on the Deshka River—historically one of the largest King salmon runs in the Susitna River drainage.
Understanding Deshka River Chinook Runs
The Deshka River, a 44-mile tributary of the Susitna River, has historically supported one of the largest Chinook salmon runs in Southcentral Alaska. Fish are counted at an ADF&G weir at river mile 7. Note: Recent years have seen severe declines in Chinook returns, and ADF&G has closed the king salmon sport fishery in recent seasons.
👑 King Salmon Run (June – July)
Wild Chinook salmon migrate upstream past the weir, with peak passage typically occurring in mid-June through early July. Recent returns have fallen far below escapement goals, prompting strict conservation measures.
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About Deshka River King Salmon Fishing
The Deshka River is a 44-mile tributary of the Susitna River in Southcentral Alaska, historically renowned for supporting one of the region's largest Chinook (King) salmon runs.
Fish are counted at a weir at river mile 7, which provides daily escapement counts as salmon migrate upstream to spawn. ADF&G says the weir operates from about May 20 through September 15, covering both the king and coho runs, though high water can stop counting: flooding damaged the weir on July 15, 2026.
Severe Conservation Concerns
Recent years have seen alarming declines in Deshka River Chinook returns. The 2024 season counted only 3,445 fish—far below the escapement goal of 9,000-18,000. The 2025 count was even lower, at 1,690 Chinook. The 2026 count improved to 6,687 (preliminary), still below the goal. In response, ADF&G closed the Susitna River drainage, including the Deshka, to king salmon fishing before each season from 2024 through 2026.
Environmental Challenges
The Deshka River has experienced significant environmental stress, including extreme water temperatures. In 2019, ADF&G reported Deshka River water temperatures as high as 28°C (about 82°F)—conditions that can impede salmon migration, increase stress, and cause mortality. Warming water temperatures throughout the Susitna drainage are believed to be contributing to the ongoing Chinook declines.
Run Timing
The Deshka Chinook run typically begins in early June, building through June with peak passage at the weir occurring from mid-June through early July. The run tapers through mid to late July. From 2022 to 2026 the run reached its midpoint at the weir between June 19 and June 23.
Historical Significance
The Deshka River was historically one of Southcentral Alaska's most popular and productive King salmon fisheries. Before closures, it attracted many anglers each season who accessed the river by powerboat from the Susitna River or by floatplane. The river's consistent returns and accessible location made it a favorite destination for both guided and unguided fishing trips.
Access & Location
The Deshka River is located within a roadless area, making access challenging. Anglers historically reached the river by powerboat from the Susitna River (launching from Deshka Landing or other access points) or by floatplane. The remote setting and pristine wilderness added to the fishing experience, though it also requires careful planning and appropriate equipment.
Current Regulations
Due to ongoing conservation concerns, Chinook salmon fishing on the Deshka River has been closed in recent seasons; in 2026 the Susitna River drainage was closed to king salmon fishing from May 1 through July 13, and kings caught while fishing for other species had to be released immediately. Anglers should check current ADF&G emergency orders before any fishing trip, as regulations may change based on in-season run strength. The river has remained open for other species, including Coho (Silver) salmon from mid- to late July (though ADF&G closed Coho retention from August 19, 2026), Pink salmon, Chum salmon, and Rainbow trout (catch-and-release during salmon runs).
Other Fishing Opportunities
While King salmon fishing has been closed, the Deshka River still offers quality fishing for other species:
• Coho (Silver) Salmon: Arrive mid- to late July, providing excellent fishing through September
• Pink Salmon: Present from mid-July
• Chum Salmon: Available mid-July through August
• Rainbow Trout: Year-round, catch-and-release during salmon season
Tracking Deshka River Chinook fish counts is essential for understanding the health of this struggling population. Conservation efforts and strict management are critical to rebuilding what was once one of Alaska's premier King salmon fisheries.
Deshka River king salmon count: common questions
Plain answers on how the count works, what past seasons looked like and what the numbers mean for fishing. This season's numbers are in the season recap and live chart above. The figures below come from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and were checked on October 21, 2026.
What is the Deshka River fish count?
It is ADF&G's daily count of salmon passing a weir on the Deshka River, a west-side tributary of the Susitna River. The weir counts king salmon (Chinook) in early summer and coho salmon later in the season. This page covers the king count; each day's count is added to a running total for the season.
Where is the Deshka River weir?
At river mile 7 of the Deshka River. ADF&G runs a resistance board weir there from about May 20 through September 15 each year, which covers both the king and the coho runs. The Deshka enters the Susitna on its west side, across from the road system.
When do king salmon run in the Deshka River?
In June and early July. From 2022 to 2026 the first king passed the weir between June 1 and June 5 (in 2025 high water kept the weir out until June 13), and the run reached its halfway point between June 19 and June 23. The biggest single day in each of those seasons fell between June 19 and June 24:
- 2022: June 19
- 2023: June 23
- 2024: June 22
- 2025: June 21
- 2026: June 24
How many Deshka River kings were counted in 2026?
ADF&G's preliminary 2026 count was 6,687 king salmon, from June 5 to July 14. The biggest day was June 24, at 618 fish. That is the highest Deshka count since 2021, but it is still below the 9,000 low end of the escapement goal.
Why does the 2026 count stop on July 14?
Flooding. ADF&G says the Deshka River weir was damaged during flooding on July 15, 2026, and was no longer operational. ADF&G's table shows the weir flooded through early August and notes on August 5 that it was damaged beyond repair. So the 2026 total misses any kings that passed after July 14. In 2013 to 2025, between 86% and 99% of each season's king count had passed by July 14, so most of a typical run would already have been counted.
What is the record Deshka River king salmon count?
The record is 2004. ADF&G counted 57,934 kings at the weir that season, the highest total in its online Deshka data, which goes back to 1995. The biggest single day in that data is also from 2004: 4,433 fish on June 17.
What were the Deshka River king salmon counts in past years?
Season counts at the river mile 7 weir, from ADF&G's online data:
- 2026: 6,687 (preliminary; counting ended July 14 after flood damage)
- 2025: 1,690
- 2024: 3,445
- 2023: 3,741
- 2022: 5,436
- 2021: 18,583
- 2020: 10,638
- 2019: 9,695
- 2018: 8,544
- 2017: 11,356
Over the five seasons from 2022 to 2026 the count averaged about 4,200 kings a year, down from about 8,000 over the 10 seasons from 2017 to 2026. Final figures in ADF&G's reports can differ slightly from the online data; for example, ADF&G's 2024 season summary gives 3,440 for 2024.
Why was the 2025 Deshka king count so low?
The run was very weak, and the weir also went in late. ADF&G's 2025 season summary says high water kept the weir from being installed until June 13. It estimated that about 101 kings passed before then, which brings the 2025 season total to 1,791 fish. The 1,690 kings counted at the weir is the lowest season total in ADF&G's online data back to 1995.
What is the escapement goal for Deshka River kings?
9,000 to 18,000 king salmon. ADF&G's count page lists it as a sustainable escapement goal set in 2020, and its emergency orders and season summaries call it a biological escapement goal. Escapement is the number of fish that get past the fisheries to spawn. The Deshka is one of four stock-based king salmon goals ADF&G manages to in the Susitna River drainage. The count has been below 9,000 in every season from 2022 to 2026.
Is the Deshka River open to king salmon fishing?
It has been closed in recent seasons. ADF&G closed the Susitna River drainage, including the Deshka, to king salmon fishing from May 1 through July 13 in both 2024 and 2026, and the Deshka king fishery stayed closed for the whole 2025 season. In 2026, kings caught while fishing for other species had to be released immediately. ADF&G says Susitna king fisheries have had restrictions and closures since 2012. Check ADF&G's sport fishing regulations and current emergency orders before you fish. This page is not a regulations source.
How do you get to the Deshka River?
By boat or plane. ADF&G says the Deshka can be reached by river boats launched at Deshka Landing near Willow or at Susitna Landing at the mouth of the Kashwitna River, or by airplane. The mouth area is popular for salmon fishing. The lower 7 miles of the river are also fished, but they can be run only by shallow-draft jet boats or airboats.
How does today's count compare with the average?
Check the season recap and chart above. They show the daily count and the running total for the season, with 3-year and 5-year averages and the goal range. Single days swing a lot, so the running total against the average for the same date gives a better picture of whether the run is early, late, strong or weak. Current-year counts are preliminary and can be revised. On ADF&G's own table, days with no count show as a dash.
Are coho counted at the same weir?
Yes. The same river mile 7 weir counts coho salmon from mid to late July into September. See our Deshka River coho counts.
Where does the data come from?
The counts in the chart and the past-season totals above come from ADF&G's public Deshka River king salmon count. We republish them with averages so the trend is easier to read. The closures and the 2025 figures come from ADF&G's emergency orders and its Cook Inlet season summaries.
How do I get alerts when new counts post?
In the Alaska FishTopia app, favorite the Deshka River king count and you'll get a push alert when a new count posts. The alert gives the day's count and the season total so far, and says whether the run is ahead of, on or behind the typical pace for the date, based on the 3-year average. The app also covers the Deshka coho count, the Little Susitna and other Alaska counts, plus tides, marine weather, sport fishing regulations and AI fish ID. It comes with a 3-day free trial, then $9.99 a year. Get it on the App Store or Google Play.