Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 12, 2013

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

• Due to anticipated king salmon shortages, harvest is limited or not allowed in many areas of the Matsu this season. There is opportunity for catch-and-release fishing in many areas where harvest is not allowed. The total annual limit of king salmon 20 inches or longer taken in combination from the Susitna River drainage and Little Susitna River is two (2). The annual limit for fresh waters of Cook Inlet remains at five (5), but no more than two of those five may be taken from the Susitna River drainage Units 1-6 and 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, and anglers must stop fishing for any species of fish in waters open to king salmon fishing after harvesting a king salmon. The Deshka River is included in these restrictions.

• Parks Highway streams within Unit 2 of the Susitna River is further restricted to catch-and-release only. Catch and release fishing for king salmon will be allowed only during times the normal king salmon fishery is open by regulation, which is through the third Monday in June and then for two consecutive three-day weekends (Saturday-Monday). Dates in 2013 for catch and release correspond through June 17, then June 22-24, and June 29-July 1. Fishing for trout and other species will not be affected by these emergency regulations for king salmon and will continue as written in current regulation.

• All waters of Unit 1 (except the Deshka River), Unit 3, Unit 5, and the Chulitna River in Unit 6 is further restricted to catch-and-release fishing.

• Waters of Unit 4 (Yentna River drainage) is further restricted by allowing harvest Friday–Monday only. Catch-and-release fishing for king salmon will be allowed Tuesday–Thursday. The exception within Unit 4 is the Talachulitna River drainage where fishing for king salmon is limited to catch-and-release only seven days per week.

• King salmon fishing on the Little Susitna is further restricted as follows: harvest is allowed only on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. King salmon harvest (of any size) is prohibited on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; 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.

Fresh waters

Salmon

• Deshka River king fishing has been fair over the past several days, but is spotty. Fishing should steadily improve as fish passage increases. Fishing has been best early in the morning and late it the evenings. Water levels are dropping, temperatures are increasing, and clarity is improving. Weir counts may be found at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/FishCounts/

• King fishing at the Little Susitna has been rough as water levels have been high and dirty, with quite a bit of debris at this time. Ayrshire Rd out to the Little Susitna Public Use Facility has been repaired and remains in good condition. Catches are expected to improve this next weekend, especially if water conditions improve.

• The first of the seasons kings have been caught on Lake Creek recently. Waters are continuing to drop, improving fishing conditions there.

• Kings have been reportedly caught at the Eklutna Tailrace, though fishing success is low. 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.

Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

• Parks Highway streams fishing conditions are improving. Evening fishing has been best.

• Many flowing waters along the Parks Highway are catch-and-release only for rainbow trout until June 15.

• Reminder, Deception Creek is closed to all fishing until June 15.

Northern Pike

• In the freshwaters of West Cook Inlet and Susitna River drainage, anglers are not allowed to release live pike back into thewater. Pike not retained for personal use may be disposed of through lawful and safe methods, including returning dead pike to the water.

• Pike fishing is excellent in June as pike are aggressively feeding during this time.

• For road-accessible pike fishing, try the Nancy Lake Recreation Area lakes, Long Lake near Willow, Memory and Prator lakes.
• Boat-accessible pike fishing can be found in the side sloughs of the Deshka River, Alexander Creek, Fish Creek (Kroto Slough) and Hewitt Lake.

• For fly-in pike fishing, try Alexander, Shell, Onestone, Eightmile, Trapper, Flathorn and Sucker lakes.

Lake Fishing

• The stocking truck has made it’s rounds once again; two lakes, with a wide variety of fish stocked include, Finger and Long Lake (mile 86).

• Lakes recently stocked with rainbow trout include Coyote, Slipper (Eska), South Rolly and Willow.

• Grayling have been stocked in Meirs, Canoe, Finger, Ida, Kepler Bradley, Long Lake (mile 86) and Reed lakes.

• Char were stocked in Echo, Finger, Irene, Long (mile 86) and Matanuska Lakes.
Personal Use

• Hooligan dipnetting is open in fresh water through June 15. Hooligan are in very strong numbers right now on the Yentna and mainstem Susitna up to Willow Creek.

• You must hold an Alaskan resident sport fishing license (or ADF&G senior license or ADF&G Disabled Veteran’s license) in order to use a dipnet to catch hooligan. You may take as many hooligan as you will use.