Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 08, 2012

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

• Beginning May 15, the total annual limit of king salmon 20 inches or longer taken from fresh waters of Cook Inlet remains at five (5), but no more than two may be taken from the Susitna River drainage Units 1-6, and no more than two may be taken from the Little Susitna River.
• Also within the Susitna and Little Susitna drainages, only one, unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure is allowed while fishing for king salmon. Deshka River is included in the two-fish annual restriction, but is excluded from the unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure-only restriction; anglers may continue to use bait and multiple hooks as outlined in the regulations summary booklet on the Deshka River only.
• King salmon fishing within Unit 2 of the Susitna River is further restricted beginning June 12 through July 13. In the waters of Unit 2 normally open to king salmon fishing, fishing for any species will be closed each Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday during the following dates: June 12–15, June 19–22, June 26–29, and July 3-13. Beginning June 16, only catch-and-release fishing is allowed for king salmon from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. during the following three-day weekends (Saturday–Monday): June 16–18, June 23–25, and June 30–July 2.
• Waters in Unit 2 normally closed to king salmon fishing throughout the year (upstream of the Parks Highway bridges or department markers, etc.) are not affected by the restrictions and anglers may continue to fish for trout and other species. Please refer to pages 23–32 of the Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for a complete description of Susitna River waters and location of boundary markers in these streams.
• King salmon fishing on the Little Susitna River is further restricted as follows: beginning May 15, harvest is allowed only on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. King salmon harvest (of any size) is prohibited on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; only catch-and-release fishing is allowed on these days. King salmon that are intended to be released may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
• The Eklutna Tailrace is excluded from all king salmon emergency order restrictions.
• Anglers are reminded that flowing waters in the Palmer-Wasilla Zone are CLOSED to all fishing until June 15.
• Many flowing waters along the Parks Highway are catch-and-release only for rainbow trout until June 15.

 

Fresh waters

Salmon

• King salmon begin to appear in a few northern Cook Inlet streams by mid- to late May. The waters downstream of Burma Landing on the Little Susitna River and the mouth of the Deshka River are the first places anglers report catches, usually by the end of the second week in May. The road to the Little Susitna River is rough, but the launch is open.
• King salmon will not show up in large numbers in Willow Creek and other Parks Highway systems until mid-June.
• Expect slow fishing at the Eklutna Tailrace for king salmon until the first week in June.

Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

• The mouths of the Parks Highway streams including Willow Creek and streams to the north are providing action for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, and Arctic grayling. Rainbows are starting to move around as waters rise and warm. Try the mouths and lower sections of these streams.
• Remember that Deception Creek is closed to all fishing until June 15.
• Carefully review the 2012 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet before heading out to fish.

Northern Pike

• Anglers may retain as many pike as they catch – there is no bag or possession limit.
• For road-accessible pike fishing, try the Nancy Lake Recreation Area lakes, Prator, Long Lake near Willow, and Memory Lake.
• Northern pike usually spawn from late April to mid May. Following spawning, pike tend to become very active and begin feeding heavily. This can be a great time to visit your favorite spots for some excellent pike fishing. Check the regulations before you use bait. Where bait is allowed, chunks of herring work well, as do whole sardines and hooligan.

Lake Fishing

• Fishing should be good to excellent in most Valley lakes. Lake fishing is an excellent transition back into the summer season for anglers of all ages.
• Most Valley lakes are now ice-free. Dust off your float tube for the first chance at these fish. Lake fishing can be especially rewarding this time of year.
• Please refer to our webpage to see if your favorite lake has been stocked.

Personal Use

• Hooligan should start showing in the lower Susitna River toward the end of this week.
• You must have in your possession a 2012 Alaskan resident sport fishing license (or ADF&G senior license or ADF&G Disabled Veteran’s license) in order to catch hooligan. You may take as many hooligan as you will use.

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