Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 01, 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). Final dates in 2013 for catch and release correspond to 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.
  • Sport fishing gear restrictions that have been in place in the Deshka River throughout the king salmon season are being relaxed on the Deshka River. The use of bait and multiple hooks (treble hooks and two hooks) are allowed effective 6:00 a.m., Saturday, June 29. The remainder of the Susitna River drainage will continue to be managed conservatively during the king salmon season which closes on July 14. All restrictions currently in place, with the exception of bait and multiple hooks in the Deshka River remain through July 13.

Fresh waters

Salmon

  • Deshka River king fishing has been mostly poor due to hot sunny days and high water temperatures combined with the anticipated below average run of king salmon this season. Overcast or rainy days are your best bet, otherwise try fishing early mornings or late evenings. A strong pulse of kings moved quickly through the fishery and weir on the last change in weather. Reports are of some holding in the mouth area once more. Weir counts may be found at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/FishCounts/\
  • King fishing at the Little Susitna is expected to be slow this weekend. Accurate weir counts have been possible for the first time this season since June 23 due to the river dropping and clearing.
  • Fishing at Lake Creek is fair to good at times. The Yentna has been slowly dropping, making fishing in McDougal slough possible again.
  • Kings are now being caught at the Eklutna Tailrace. Try cured salmon eggs or Vibrax early in the morning and late in the evening.

Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

  • Fishing for rainbow trout on the Parks Highway streams from Willow Creek north is excellent. Fishing for Dolly Varden and Arctic grayling should be good.
  • Willow Creek has multiple access points off Willow Fishhook Rd. Montana Creek may be accessed at several locations off the Talkeetna Spur Rd; single day float trips are popular on Willow and Montana creeks.
  • For the adventurer, try the train ride to Indian Creek or hike up the North or Middle forks of Montana Creek.
  • Freshwater tributaries of the Chulitna, such as Honolulu Creek should also provide good rainbow trout opportunity.

Northern Pike

  • Pike can be taken using spears, bow and arrow (the arrow must be attached to the bow by a line) bait, spin, and fly-fishing. Try top water weedless lures and flies in the heavily vegetated bays and sloughs. Herring suspended under a bobber is a sure fire bet.
  • Anglers may retain as many pike as they catch— there is no bag or possession limit.
  • For road-accessible pike fishing, try Nancy Lake and other lakes of the Nancy Lake Recreation Area, 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 in Hewitt Lake.
  • For fly-in pike fishing try Alexander, Eightmile, Trapper, Flathorn and Sucker lakes.

Lake Fishing

  • Lakes recently stocked with rainbow trout include Tanaina, Kashwitna,Weiner, Ravine, North Knob, Knob, Bruce, Reflections, Rocky, and Gate.
  • Grayling have been stocked in Knik, Florence, Lorraine, Meirs, Canoe, Finger, Ida, Kepler Bradley, Long Lake (mile 86) and Reed lakes.
  • Char were stocked in Benka, Echo, Finger, Irene, Long (mile 86) and Matanuska Lakes.

 

Archives

Mat-Su Area Archives for:
Dec 17, 2013 Dec 05, 2013 Oct 21, 2013 Sep 04, 2013 Aug 28, 2013 Aug 21, 2013 Aug 14, 2013 Aug 07, 2013
Jul 31, 2013 Jul 26, 2013 Jul 17, 2013 Jul 10, 2013 Jul 03, 2013 Jul 01, 2013 Jun 19, 2013 Jun 12, 2013
Jun 05, 2013 May 29, 2013 May 22, 2013 May 14, 2013 May 08, 2013