Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 02, 2016

Northern Cook Inlet area

Week of June 1 to June 7

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

• 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. ? Anglers are advised that, in an effort to meet king salmon escapement goals in the Susitna River and Little Susitna River drainages, the following sport fishing restrictions remain in effect in the Susitna River drainage (Units 1-6) and Little Susitna River: Only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure is allowed, except Deshka River where multiple hooks are currently allowed. Deshka is now open to use of bait. 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. 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. 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. Harvest on the Little Susitna is allowed Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. King salmon harvest (of any size) is prohibited Tuesdays-Thursdays; only catch-and-release fishing is allowed on these days. 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.
• The Eklutna Tailrace is excluded from all king salmon emergency order restrictions.

Fresh waters

Salmon

• King salmon fishing on the Deshka River is becoming good with limits being taken. Fishing success is best early in the morning and in the late afternoon/evening.
• King fishing at the Little Su is expected to be good this next weekend.
• Weir counts for the Deshka and Little Su are available online at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/FishCounts/ .
• Kings are starting to trickle into the Eklutna Tailrace and fishing is expected to gradually improve into this weekend. Water levels are excellent for fishing.
• Fishing for kings at Lake Creek and some of the other Yentna River tributaries is already becoming good. The Yentna River is currently high.
• Parks Highway streams remain open to catch and release fishing for king salmon. Expect slow fishing until early June.

Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

• Parks Highway streams, while on the high side, are providing good action for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, and Arctic grayling. Try fishing wooly buggers, leaches, sculpins, and the infamous egg sucking leach.
• Remember that Deception Creek is closed to all fishing until June 15.

Northern Pike

• Pike fishing is excellent in early June.
• 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, 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

• For Arctic char, try: Lynne, Prator, Long (mile 86 Glenn Hwy), Seventeenmile, Echo, Memory, and Carpenter.
• If you are looking for rainbows, try: Bruce, Coyote, Slipper, North Knob, Knob, Weiner, Ravine, Long (mile 86), Tanaina, South Rolly, Memory, Knik, Irene, Reed, Walby, Canoe, and Echo.
• Fishing early in the morning or late evening is best.