Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 03, 2019

Palmer Management Area

Week of May 1 - May 7

Emergency Orders

Please review the Emergency Orders and News Releases below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-05-19 closed king salmon fishing in the Susitna River drainage and only one, unbaited, single-hook artificial lure may be used while fishing for other species.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-06-19 closed king salmon fishing in the Little Susitna River and only one, unbaited, single-hook artificial lure may be used while fishing for other species.
• Emergency Order 2-NP-2-16-19 closed Alexander and Sucker lakes to sport fishing.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-17-19 restricted Yentna Subsistence Fishery to Wednesdays and Fridays each week in June. 

Freshwater Fishing

• 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.
• The gate is now open to the Eklutna Tailrace for those eager to wet a line for king salmon. It is early; typically, the first kings are caught near the end of May, early June.

Rainbow Trout

• Rainbows overwintering in the Susitna River are starting to ascend Parks Highway streams. The mouths of the Parks Highway streams including Willow Creek and streams to the north are providing some good rainbow and grayling fishing. Try smolt patterns and sculpins.

Northern Pike

• Pike are just now starting to spawn and may be found in shallow, grassy waters. Nancy Lake, Nancy Lake canoe system and Big Lake along the shore lines and near outlets may prove productive for spear fishing as the ice retreats. This is also a good time to try bow fishing for pike.
• Pike can be a little sluggish while spawning, so try a variety of lures. Where bait is allowed, herring under a bobber can’t be beat.

Hooligan

• Dipnetting for hooligan fishing is open and they should be starting to show later this week in the lower Susitna River near the Yentna confluence. Look for gulls as they are a dead giveaway for locating hooligan along sandbars.
• You must hold an Alaskan resident sport fishing license (or ADF&G senior license or ADF&G Disabled Veteran’s license) in order to use a dipnet to catch hooligan. You may take as many hooligan as you will use.

Local Lakes

• The stocking truck has been out already! Large rainbow trout catchables provide instant fisheries for anxious anglers!
• Lakes stocked with big rainbows include Canoe, Matanuska, Kepler/Bradley, Loberg, Lucile, Irene, Knik, Bruce, and Tanaina lakes.

For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Palmer Area Office at (907) 746-6300.