Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Recent Emergency Orders & Press Releases for Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

King salmon fishing in the Mat-Su, with the exception of the Eklutna Tailrace, is closed.
Bait is allowed in many, but not all, Susitna River tributaries beginning July 14. Check for exceptions to the general regulations before heading out.
Wasilla and Cottonwood creeks are weekend-only fisheries, from 5:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Wasilla Creek is open to fishing for salmon, other than king salmon, from its mouth upstream to the Alaska Railroad bridge; and Cottonwood Creek from its mouth upstream one mile.
Motorized watercraft capable of producing more than 42 pounds of thrust or 3 horsepower may not be used on Wasilla Creek on Saturdays and Sundays, July 15 - August 15.
Anglers are reminded that a regulation passed by the Board in 2014 impacting boat motor use on the Little Susitna River is in effect this season. On the Little Susitna River, a person may not sport fish from a boat that is powered by use of a motor, unless the motor is 4-stroke motor or direct fuel injection 2-stroke motor. Anglers may use a boat powered by a non-direct fuel injected 2-stroke motor to access areas to sport fish from the bank, but may not sport fish from the boat.

It is early for coho salmon, but expect the first ones to be caught this week on the Little Susitna River, Deshka River, and at the mouth of Willow Creek.
Chum salmon are readily available on the lower Little Su.
The first sockeye are expected at Jim Creek and Cottonwood Creek later this week.

Fishing on Parks Highway streams is good for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, and Arctic grayling.
Rainbows are well distributed throughout area streams and will follow the king salmon as they ascend rivers to spawn. Try egg patterns and flesh flies. Don’t forget the occasional Dalai Lama, leech, and sculpin patterns.

Pike fishing is excellent.
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, Anderson, King, 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.

Over 80 lakes are stocked in the Mat-Su. To review the recent stocking records, please visit the ADF&G Hatcheries and Stocking webpage.
Rainbow trout fishing has been excellent, try Slipper (Eska), Ravine, Long Lake (mile 86 Glenn HWY), Matanuska, South Friend, Knik, Lorraine, Lalen, and South Rolly Lakes.