Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Recent Emergency Orders & Press Releases for Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

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.

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
- Rainbow fishing is good near the mouths of Parks Highway streams, such as Willow, Kashwitna, Sheep, Montana, and the Talkeetna. Use caution when wading these streams as spring runoff and recent rains have waters on the high side. Try smolt patterns, wholly buggers, leaches, and sculpins.
Northern Pike
- Pike are now spawning and may be found in shallow, grassy waters. Along the shorelines and near outlets of Nancy Lake, Nancy Lake Canoe System, and Big Lake 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.
Hooligan
- There have been reports of hooligan in the lower Susitna River, downstream of and around the Yentna confluence area. Look for gulls as they are a dead giveaway for locating hooligan along sandbars.
- You must have 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.

Lake fishing is excellent. Finger Lake has been producing some nice sized rainbow trouts. Catching rainbows at family friendly Kepler/Bradley lakes is as easy as fishing a small piece of shrimp under a bobber.
Catchable rainbow trout about 10 inches long are being stocked on a daily basis. Recently stocked lakes include Meirs, Canoe, Matanuska, Kepler/Bradley, Loberg, Lucille, Irene, Knik, Bruce, and Tanaina lakes.

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