Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 20, 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-SS-2-52-20 increases the bag and possession limit for salmon, other than king salmon, 16 inches or greater in length, to six per day and six in possession, of which no more than three salmon per day and in possession may be coho salmon, in all waters of Fish Creek open to salmon fishing. In addition, sport fishing on Fish Creek will continue to be allowed seven days per week from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. each day. These provisions are effective 5:00 a.m. Saturday, August 22 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2020.
• Emergency Order 2-SS-2-50-20 reduces the bag and possession limit for coho salmon 12:01 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, 2020. Only unbaited, artificial lures may be used.
• Emergency Order 2-RS-2-47-20 closes Larson Creek and within one-quarter mile radius of its confluence with the Talkeetna River to sport fishing for all salmon species effective 6:00 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2020.
• Emergency Order 2-RS-2-46-20 increases the bag and possession limit for salmon, other than king salmon, to six fish of which two may be coho in Fish Creek. This emergency order also allows fishing in Fish Creek seven days a week from 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. These regulatory changes are effective through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2020.
• Emergency Order 2-R-2-24-20 added three new lakes - Leech, Summit, and Zero lakes - to the stocking program in the Northern Cook Inlet management area effective June 20, 2020. The bag and possession limit for rainbow trout in these stocked lakes is five fish, of which only one fish may be 20 inches or greater in length. For Arctic grayling, the bag and possession limit is five fish, no size limit.

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• Coho fishing at Fish Creek remains good. For the remainder of the season, this fishery is open 7 days a week from 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Six salmon are allowed of which only three may be coho.
• Wasilla and Cottonwood Creeks remain weekend-only fisheries from 5:00 a.m. - 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.
• Anglers are still effectively catching coho daily at the Little Su. Remember, only one coho is allowed per day and in possession and bait restricted by emergency order. Please see Emergency Orders 2-SS-2-48-20 & 2-SS-2-50-20.
• Fishing for coho has been fair to good along the Parks Highway streams. Try the mouths and lower sections of Willow, Little Willow, Kashwitna, Sheep, Caswell, Montana, Sunshine, and the Talkeetna River.
• Deshka coho fishing has been slow, anglers putting on some river miles are catching bag limits. The weir project is over for the season.
• Bait is now allowed in many - but not all - Susitna River tributaries. Check for exceptions to the general regulations before heading out.
• Jim Creek is now closed to all sport fishing Mondays and Tuesdays. Fishing is only allowed between 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.

Rainbows

• Parks Highway streams are fishing good to excellent for rainbow trout. Try floating upper Willow Creek or Montana. If you are on foot, most Parks Highway streams are accessible at the bridge and water levels are favorable for wading.
• With salmon of various species actively spawning, now is a good time to drift glo bug patterns or eggs for aggressive rainbow trout action behind spawning salmon. Check with the local bait and tackle shops for various colors and sizes of bead or egg patterns. With the abundance of eggs in-river right now rainbows can be picky.
• Flesh flies, and cotton candy will be good as fall fast approaches and rainbows search for flesh. Do not rule out a strike indicator, they can be very helpful with hook sets.

Local Lakes

• Lake fishing is the definition of social distancing. With folks wrapping up salmon season and targeting hunting in the fall, dust off the canoe or float tube and enjoy life in one of the Mat-Su stocked lakes. Many of the lakes provide trophy rainbow trout fishing and Arctic char fishing will perk up as the temperatures drop.
• Matanuska Lake is a good place to troll deep for char and pick up some nice rainbow trout.
• Try Seymour Lake, for a chance at big rainbows, but do not expect to catch many. The patient angler is rewarded on this lake.
• Lucile and Finger lakes are good places to catch many rainbows, and good-sized fish.
• Canoe Lake is a good place to target grayling and some nice rainbows.
• Long Lake in the Matanuska Lakes system is a catch-and-release, single-hook lake with good rainbow fishing.
• If you want a 4-wheel adventure, grab the rods, and try Wishbone Lake (catch-and-release, single-hook), or Ruby Lake.

Don’t forget to bring your 2020 sport fishing license! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2020 sport fishing license 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.