Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su
Archived Sport Fishing Report
June 09, 2020
* Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing the current State of Alaska Health Mandates in effect. This includes practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing and wearing a face covering when fishing and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.
* The Alaska Board of Fisheries adopted several proposals establishing new sport fish regulations for the Northern and Western Cook Inlet Area at its Anchorage February 2020 meeting. Please see the 2020 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulation Summary booklet for a complete summary of the Northern and Western Cook Inlet sport and personal use fisheries regulations.
Emergency Orders
Please review the Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.
- Emergency Order 2-NP-2-14-20 closed Alexander Lake and Sucker Lake to sport fishing through
11:59 p.m. Friday, July 31, 2020. - Emergency Order 2-KS-2-09-20 prohibits the retention of king salmon in the Little Susitna River and limits sport fishing gear to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure through 11:59 p.m. Monday,
July 13, 2020. - Emergency Order 2-KS-2-08-20 closed king salmon fishing in Unit 2 of the Susitna River drainage, and allows catch-and-release fishing in Units 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6. In addition, sport fishing gear is restricted to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure in all waters of the Susitna River drainage through 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 13, 2020.
Freshwater Fishing
- Anglers are reminded that flowing waters in the Palmer-Wasilla Zone are CLOSED to all fishing until
Monday, June 15. Examples of some of these systems include Cottonwood Creek in its entirety (including access off Seward Meridian), Wasilla Creek, Fish Creek, Meadow Creek, and Deception Creek.
Rainbows
- Many flowing waters along the Parks Highway are catch-and-release ONLY for rainbow trout until Monday, June 15. Parks Highway streams remain high but are forecasted to drop a little the next few days. This is a good time to try a wide variety of flies, including fry patterns, prince nymphs (size 8-10), articulated leeches, flesh flies, and mouse patterns.
Salmon
- Kings are now in at Eklutna Tailrace. This fishery is open 24/7, open to both bait and multiple hooks. You must have a king salmon stamp and immediately record your harvest. Once you harvest a king at the Tailrace, you may no longer fish in waters open to king salmon fishing that day.
- The catch-and-release king fishing on the Deshka has been good in the early morning. King salmon are being counted daily at the weir and counts are available online.
- The Little Susitna remains very high and muddy. Catch-and-release fishing for king salmon has been slow.
- A few fish have been reported in the single-hook, catch-and-release fishery at Lake Creek. The Yentna River is very high, and Lake Creek is approaching flood stage.
Northern Pike
- Road accessible lakes with northern pike include Anderson, Kings, Prator, Memory, Nancy Lake, Nancy Lake canoe system and Big Lake. Try soft plastic lures like a black leach or nightcrawler.
Local Lakes
- If you are looking for a 4-wheel adventure this weekend, try Ruby, Wishbone, or Goober lakes. Wishbone is a catch-and-release lake.
- Float tube fishing has been good on Loon, South Friend, Seymour, Lucile, Canoe, and Carpenter lakes.
- Kid-Friendly locations include Kepler/Bradley, Finger, Matanuska, and Lucile lakes.
Don’t forget to bring your 2020 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2020 sport fishing license and king stamp through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home. Also, make sure to review Emergency Orders and the 2020 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.
For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Palmer Area Office at (907) 746-6300