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 continue to be caught daily at the Eklutna Tailrace, which is open 24 hours per day. Bait is allowed.
It is still early for sockeye, chum, pink, and coho salmon; expect the first fish to show by mid-July.
The Little Susitna and Deshka weirs are in operation; fish counts are available online.

Fishing has been good for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, and Arctic grayling along Parks Highway streams, including Clear Creek.
There are several good access roads off Willow Fishhook for fishing upper Willow Creek. Deception Creek can also produce some nice rainbows this time of year.
Access Montana Creek off Talkeetna Spur Road or try down Helena Road, Michele Road, or Yoder Road. For the more adventurous angler, try hiking and fishing upstream of Yoder Road on either the Middle or North forks.
Rainbows will follow king salmon as they ascend rivers to spawn. Try egg and flesh patterns or a wooly bugger type fly with a beaded head.

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, Taniana, 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 extensive, providing ample opportunities 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. Try sinking flies such as dragon and damsel nymphs, or leech patterns for big rainbows.
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.
For a 4-wheel ride in fishing adventure check out Wishbone and Ruby lakes.