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 area, with the exception of the Eklutna Tailrace, is closed by emergency orders and seasonal regulations.
- 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.

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.
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.

Eklutna Tailrace is the only option in the Mat-Su area for catching a late season king salmon.
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 beginning to show on the lower Little Susitna River.
This would be a good weekend to fish the mouth of Cottonwood Creek as fishable numbers of sockeye salmon are expected; a few sockeye salmon may begin to show up at Jim Creek later this week.
Fish Creek sockeye counts are off to good start. Stay tuned in case the personal use fishery is opened by emergency order sometime this week. ADF&G must project in excess of 35,000 sockeye salmon prior to opening this dip net fishery.
The Little Susitna, Deshka, and Fish Creek weirs are in operation; fish counts are available online.

Fishing on the Parks Highway streams are 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.

Lake fishing has been excellent! Try sinking flies such as dragon and damsel nymphs, or leech patterns for big rainbows.
For a 4-wheel ride in fishing adventure check out Wishbone and Ruby lakes.
Over 80 lakes are stocked in the Mat-Su area. Visit the ADF&G Hatcheries and Stocking webpage to find out which local lakes have recently been stocked.