Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 14, 2018

Regulation Reminders and Emergency Orders

Regulation Reminders

• A Youth-Only king salmon fishery will take place at the Eklutna Tailrace Saturday, June 16 from 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. The area open is from the mouth of the Tailrace to the pedestrian bridge to anglers 15 years old and younger. Please be respectful to our youth in this area during this time. Fishing at Eklutna has been excellent in recent days.
• 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 are in effect through July 13:

Per Emergency Order No. 2-KS-2-10-18, effective May 1, 2018, for Units 1-6 of the Susitna River drainage:

• Sport fishing for king salmon (of any size) is open to catch-and-release in the Deshka and Yentna rivers.
• Sport fishing for king salmon is closed in the remainder of the Susitna River drainage.
• Only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure is allowed in the Susitna River drainages. Single-hook means a fish hook with only one point. Treble hooks and more than one single-hook are prohibited.
• Fishing for other species, including trout, will be allowed seven days per week, this includes the waters within Unit 2 that are normally closed during the king salmon season.

Per Emergency Order No. 2-KS-2-15-18, effective June 15, 2018, for the Little Susitna drainage:

• The retention of king salmon is prohibited on the Little Susitna River drainage and sport fishing gear is limited to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure beginning 6:00 a.m. on June 15.

• The Eklutna Tailrace is excluded from all king salmon emergency order restrictions.

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• The Little Susitna and Deshka weirs are in operation; fish counts are available online.
• King counts on the Deshka are low for this time of year. Fishing has been good early in the morning at the mouth and fair overall.
• Fishing on the Little Su continues to be poor due in part to high waters. The Little Su remains muddy from spring runoff and recent rains; however, water conditions are forecast to improve for the weekend. Remember, this fishery has now been restricted to catch-and-release only fishing for king salmon.
• Lake Creek area fishing is expected to be good for catch-and-release fishing for king salmon this week.
• Kings are being caught at the Eklutna Tailrace. This fishery is excluded from any emergency orders. Bag limits are one king salmon per day and in possession, 5 king salmon annually. This fishery is open 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The Youth-Only king salmon fishery is this weekend from 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Please respect the space reserved for our young anglers.

Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

• Parks Highway stream forecast is for water levels to drop from recent high levels. When that happens, rainbow fishing should be excellent as little to no effort has been expended on the streams during recent rains.
• Deception Creek opens June 15; however, it is closed to salmon fishing year-round. Only one unbaited, single hook, artificial lure or fly is allowed.

Northern Pike

• Pike fishing is excellent in June.
• This is a good time of year to fish Big Lake; nice sized fish are being caught.
• Memory lake has been producing pike catches try fishing herring under a bobber and fish the edges of the drop offs.

Lake Fishing

• ADF&G Game Refuge and Education staff are teaming up to plan a free public event at Reflections Lake and would love for you to participate. “Fun on the Flats” is scheduled 11:00 a.m-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 16. Many activities are scheduled, and the stocking truck will be there for a demonstration.
• Anglers can visit the ADF&G Hatcheries and Stocking webpage for more information regarding when and where fish are stocked.