Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 03, 2013

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

• On the Deshka River, the use of bait and multiple hooks (treble hooks and two hooks) are allowed through July 13. The remainder of the Susitna River drainage will continue to be managed conservatively during the king salmon season which closes on July 13. All emergency restrictions currently in place, with the exception of bait and multiple hooks in the Deshka River remain through July 13.
• Other king restrictions which remain unchanged in the Susitna and Little Susitna drainages include the following:
• 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 Deshka River is included.
• Only one, unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure is allowed (except Deshka River).
• Anglers must stop fishing for any species of fish in waters open to king salmon fishing after harvesting a king salmon.
• Waters of Unit 1 (except the Deshka River), Unit 3, Unit 5, and Unit 6 remain catch-and-release only 7 days per week.
• Waters of Unit 4 (Yentna River drainage) remains restricted to harvest Friday–Monday only. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed Tuesday–Thursday. The exception within Unit 4 is the Talachulitna River where only catch-and-release fishing is allowed.
• On the Little Susitna, 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.
• Parks Highway streams within Unit 2 of the Susitna River are now closed to king salmon fishing as written in regulation.

Salmon

• Deshka River king fishing has been good. Bait and cooler weather has improved fishing success. Boaters beware of shallow riffles and rocks upstream of about river mile 2; water levels are a little low for this time of the year.
• King fishing at the Little Susitna was good last weekend and should still be producing some kings this 4th of July weekend. Remember, harvest is only allowed from 6 a.m.-11pm Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Water conditions are good.
• Fishing at Lake Creek remains fair to good.
• Kings have now hit the Talkeetna River where catch-and-release fishing is allowed.
• King fishing at the Eklutna Tailrace is fair. Jacks are being caught on a regular basis with some larger fish being taken. Cured salmon eggs are your best bet.

Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

• Fishing for rainbow trout on the Parks Highway streams from Willow Creek north is excellent. Water levels are favorable for fishing and clear. 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 fishing can slow considerably with warmer water temperatures. Try top-water weedless lures and flies in the heavily vegetated bays and sloughs.
• For road-accessible pike fishing try Horseshoe, Rainbow and Anderson lakes or the Nancy Lake Canoe System Lakes; specifically Frazier, Little Frazier, Taniana, Ardaw, Milo, Lynx, and Nancy lakes.
• Pike are also present in the lakes, ponds and sloughs of the Susitna River drainage. Boat-accessible locations for pike fishing include the Deshka River, Fish Creek, Flathorn Lake, Hewitt Lake, Fish Creek (Kroto Slough), Moose Creek (Yentna River), and Alexander Creek.
• For fly-in fishing try Alexander, Trapper, Shell, Eight-mile 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.
• Lakes with camping include Kepler/Bradley, Finger, Matanuska, South Rolly, Lucille, Nancy, Rocky, Knob and North Knob (undeveloped), and Long Lake (mile 86) has a few undeveloped sites.