Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 05, 2021

* Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing, and wearing a face covering when social distancing is not possible and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store.

Local Lakes

• Lakes with open water for fishing include Finger, Kepler/Bradley, Echo, Canoe, Meirs, Loberg, and Lucile.

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.
• Rainbow trout fishing will pick up near the mouths of Parks Highway streams, such as Willow, Kashwitna, Sheep, Montana, and the Talkeetna once the water clears up. Try smolt patterns, wholly buggers, leaches, flesh flies and sculpins.
• The gate is now open to the Eklutna Tailrace for those eager to wet a line for king salmon. It is still early; typically, the first kings are caught near the end of May or early June.
• The Little Su Public Use Facility is now open and under new management. Great Holiday Campgrounds is the new concessionaire managing the facility. Season passes for commercial and noncommercial activities along with campground reservations can be made by contacting Great Holiday Campgrounds at (907) 240-9797 or by visiting the Great Holiday Campgrounds webpage.
• Northern Pike are now spawning and may be found in shallow, grassy waters. Try Memory or Prator lakes. Pike can be a little sluggish while spawning, so try a variety of lures. This is also a good time to try bow fishing for pike.

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-KS-2-14-21 allows catch-and-release fishing only in Units 1-6. In addition, sport fishing gear is restricted to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure in all waters of the Susitna River drainage. In addition, fishing time is reduced in Unit 2 of the Susitna River to allow catch-and-release fishing for king salmon from Saturday, May 1 through Monday, June 14, 2021, and then only on Sunday an0d Monday for three consecutive weeks starting Sunday, June 20 (June 20 - 21, June 27 - 28, and
  July 4 - 5). This emergency order is in effect through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, 2021.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-06-21 allows catch-and-release fishing only for king salmon in the Little Susitna River and limits sport fishing gear to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, 2021.
• Emergency Order 2-R-2-03-21 adds Leech, Summit, Zero, Kings, and Anderson lakes to the list of lakes stocked with hatchery fish. The bag and possession limit for rainbow trout in these lakes is five fish, of which only one may be 20 inches or greater in length. The bag and possession limit for Arctic grayling is five fish, no size limit.

Don't forget to purchase your 2021 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2021 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 2021 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.