Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 26, 2014

Northern Cook Inlet area

Week of June 25 to July 1
Issued June 26, 2014

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

• The Little Susitna is closed to fishing for king salmon through the remainder of the king salmon sport fishing season or until weir counts indicate the escapement goal will be achieved. The closure prohibits sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. As of June 24, 1,377 king salmon had passed the Little Susitna weir. As achievement of the escapement goal is measured by a post-season aerial survey, nearly two times this level is necessary before the fishery may reopen.
• On the Deshka River, the use of bait and multiple hooks (treble hooks and two hooks) is allowed. The remainder of the Susitna River drainage will continue to be managed conservatively during the king salmon season. 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 Matsu area include the following:
o King salmon harvest (of any size) is prohibited within Unit 1 (except on Deshka River), on the Parks Highway streams within Unit 2, the upper Susitna (Unit 3), Talachulitna River (Unit 4), Talkeetna River (Unit 5), and Chulitna River (Unit 6). Fishing, but not harvest of king salmon, will be allowed during days and times normally open to king salmon fishing within these management units.
o Anglers are reminded that each management unit on the Susitna River includes a portion of the Susitna mainstem. Except for the section of the Susitna mainstem within ½ mile radius of the mouth of the Deshka River, no king salmon harvest is allowed in the rest of the mainstem. For example, harvest of the king salmon holding ¼ mile downstream of the mouth of Montana Creek is not allowed, but catch-and-release is allowed during the times normally open to king fishing.
o The Deshka River is open to king salmon harvest 7 days per week. King salmon harvest in the Yentna drainage (except Talachulitna River) is allowed 4 days per week (Fridays-Mondays); king salmon harvest (of any size) is prohibited Tuesdays-Thursdays; only catch-and-release fishing is allowed on these days. The Talachulitna River is restricted to catch-and-release 7 days per week.
o An annual limit of 2 king salmon over 20 inches applies to Susitna and Little Susitna drainages combined. King salmon that are intended to be released may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
o In the waters of Unit 2 open to catch-and-release fishing for king salmon, 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.
o The Eklutna Tailrace is excluded from all king salmon emergency order restrictions.

Fresh waters

Salmon

• Deshka River fishing is fair. This time of year, fishing upstream of the mouth is your best bet.
• Eklutna Tailrace fishing remains good. Early morning or late evening fishing is the most productive. Bait and multiple hooks are allowed. This fishery is open around the clock, 7 days a week.
• Lake Creek and some of the other Yentna River tributaries are producing some king salmon; fishing is fair to good at times.
• Parks Highway streams and the Talkeetna River are catch and release only for king salmon one more weekend, June 28-June 30th. Early morning fishing at Willow, Sheep, and Kashwitna have been the most productive.

Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

• Stream fishing has been good for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, and Arctic grayling along Parks Highway streams, including Clear Creek. Now that spawning closures are over, flowing waters in the Palmer Wasilla Zone as well as Deception Creek are open to fishing.
• Rainbows will follow the King salmon as they ascend rivers to spawn. Fry patterns and prince nymphs are working well.

Northern Pike

• Pike fishing is excellent in June as they aggressively feed at this time.
• Anglers may retain as many pike as they catch – there is no bag or possession limit. In the freshwaters of West Cook Inlet and Susitna River drainage, anglers are not allowed to release live pike back into the water.
• For road-accessible pike fishing, try the Nancy Lake Recreation Area lakes, Big Lake, 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, Eightmile, Trapper, Flathorn and Sucker lakes.

Lake Fishing

• Valley lake fishing remains excellent! Over 80 lakes are stocked with multiple species providing opportunity for every angler. Visit our stocked lakes web page at this address for driving directions, stocking up-dates, and more information: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSport.region&StockingAreaID=7.