Coho salmon may not be possessed or retained. All coho salmon must be released immediately. Catch and release fishing for coho salmon is allowed. This includes all waters draining into Lake Iliamna. The Wood River drainage, previously restricted to 2 coho per day is now restricted to a daily bag and possession limit of one coho per day.
Available data suggest low abundance of coho salmon in the watersheds of Bristol Bay.
Normally the largest coho producer of the area, the Nushagak River return has been so poor that all fisheries on those stocks are closed. Commercial catches in the Togiak District are far below the average for this date. The commercial fishery has been on a restricted schedule beginning the week of August 16 in an effort to conserve coho salmon. If the run continues to be low, commercial openings after Wednesday, August 25 are unlikely. Other districts have been very low due to low coho abundance, little effort, and limited markets.