Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Recent Emergency Orders & Press Releases for Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

Per Emergency Order No. 2-KS-2-23-18, the Little Susitna River is closed to fishing for king salmon. Only one, single-hook, artificial lure will be allowed when fishing for other species through July 13.
Per Emergency Order No. 2-KS-2-22-18, Units 1-6 of the Susitna drainage are closed to fishing for king salmon. Only one, single-hook, artificial lure will be allowed when fishing for other species through July 13. The Deshka River is included in this emergency order.
The Deshka River continues to be closed to the use of bait by emergency order.
The Eklutna Tailrace is excluded from all king salmon emergency order restrictions.

Anglers are reminded to review Emergency Orders and News Releases and the 2018 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the Northern Cook Inlet Area before heading out on their next fishing trip.

King salmon 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 24/7 and bait is allowed. Bait suspended under a bobber has been working for some anglers. Hard tackle anglers are using wiggle worts and vibrax.
It is still early for sockeye, chum, pink, and coho salmon; expect the first fish to show by mid-July.

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 Road. Montana Creek may be accessed at several locations off the Talkeetna Spur Road. Single day float trips are popular on Willow and Montana creeks.
Take a trip to Clear Creek of the Talkeetna River, accessible by boat via the Talkeetna boat launch.
Freshwater tributaries of the Chulitna, such as Honolulu Creek and Byers Creek, should also provide good rainbow trout opportunities.
This is a good time of year to float Lake Creek, Talachulitna River, Deshka River, or Clear Creek (Talkeetna drainage). All these floats are remote and require multiple days and some planning. The payoff is world class rainbow trout fishing among pristine settings.

Pike fishing has been excellent lately. Try top-water weedless lures and flies fished in heavily vegetated waters.
For road-accessible pike fishing try Anderson, King, Horseshoe, and Rainbow lakes or the Nancy Lake Canoe System Lakes; specifically, Frazier, Little Frazier, Tanaina, 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 stocking in the valley has been widespread, providing extensive opportunity for anglers; you can drive in almost any direction and find a recently stocked lake in your area.
Fishing is reported as excellent, especially lakes where catchable rainbow trout have been stocked.
Lakes with catchable trout include Matanuska, Lucille, Rocky, Loberg, South Rolly, Kink, Memory, Meirs, Kepler/Bradley, Canoe, Knob, North Knob, Weiner, Kashwitna, Willow, Coyote, Slipper (Eska), Gate, Mile 180, Tanaina, Walby, Long (mile 86), and Ravine Lakes.
Lakes stocked with catchable char include Echo, Lynne, Memory, and Carpenter.
If you enjoy grayling fishing, try Canoe, Meirs, or Lorraine Lakes.
Looking to camp and fish at a stocked lake, then head to Kepler/Bradley, Finger, South Rolly, Rocky, Lucille, or Matanuska lakes. Under-developed camping can be found at Long Lake (mile 86), and Knob and North Knob Lakes along the Glenn Highway.