Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 16, 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

  • The Mat-Su has a ton of stocked lakes. They are all listed on pages 88-89 of the Southcentral Fishing regulations. Check out our webpage to see which lakes have been recently stocked.
  • If you are looking to take the kids out this weekend a few family-friendly lakes with good access include Finger, Kepler/Bradley, Matanuska, Lucile, South Rolly, Long Lake (mile 86), and Byers lakes.

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

  • Deshka River goes to harvest Friday, June 18 at 6:00 a.m. See emergency order 2-KS-2-23-21 below for more info. King fishing on the Deshka has been good in general. With recent hot weather days, mornings have been best. Fishing success can be weather-dependent on this river. Watch for and take advantage of any rainy or even cloudy days.
  • Fishing the lower Little Susitna has been very good. Weir counts remain low as these fish have yet to emerge from the lower river, which is accessible via the Little Susitna Public Use Facility. See emergency order 2 KS-2-06-21 below for more info.
  • Kings are now being caught at the Eklutna Tailrace from shore as well as downstream, accessible by boats. Fishing at this site will improve throughout this week. Bait and multiple hooks are allowed in this fishery.
  • A Youth-Only king salmon fishery (15 years or younger) will take place this Saturday, June 19 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Eklutna Tailrace. The area open to youth-only is from the mouth of the Tailrace to the pedestrian bridge. Please be respectful to our youth in this area during this time and leave this designated area open for the kids. The remainder of the tailrace is open for all anglers.
  • Catch-and-release fishing on the Yentna has been good and is expected to peak this weekend and early next week.
  • Parks Highway streams are open to catch-and-release fishing for king salmon by emergency order and are weekend only fishing on Sundays-Mondays only for three weekends starting June 20 (June 20-21, June 27-28, and July 4-5). Catch-and-release includes king salmon of all sizes including jacks. Sportfishing gear is restricted to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure in all waters of the Susitna River drainage. Fishing for kings in designated waters is from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Rainbow Trout

  • The Palmer-Wasilla Zone flowing waters are now open to fishing for rainbows.
  • Plan a fun Father’s Day float down one of the Parks-Highway streams. Willow Creek has multiple access points off Willow Fishhook Road. Montana Creek can be accessed at several locations off the Talkeetna Spur Road.
  • Rainbow fishing has been excellent. If you want a multi-day float, head up to Lake Creek, Talachulitna River, Deshka, or Clear Creek (Talkeetna drainage).

Northern Pike

  • Anglers may retain as many pike as they catch – there is no bag or possession limit. In the freshwaters of West Cook Inlet and Susitna River drainage, anglers are not allowed to release live pike back into the water.
  • For road-accessible pike fishing, try the Nancy Lake Recreation Area lakes, Long Lake near Willow, Memory, and Prator lakes.
  • Boat-accessible pike fishing can be found in the side sloughs of the Deshka River, Alexander Creek, Fish Creek (Kroto Slough), and Hewitt Lake.
  • For fly-in pike fishing try Alexander, Shell, Eightmile, Trapper, Flathorn, and Sucker lakes.

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-2-23-21 lifts preseason restrictions placed on the Deshka River king fishery beginning 6 a.m., Friday, June 18; one king over 20 inches per day/ two in possession will be allowed, and bait and multiple hooks will be allowed. Other king fisheries on the Susitna River remain catch-and-release fishing only for king salmon per emergency order 2-KS-2-14-21. In these catch-and-release fisheries, sport fishing gear continues to be restricted to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure. In addition, fishing time continues to be reduced in Unit 2 or 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 and Monday for three consecutive weeks starting Sunday, June 20. This EO is in effect through 11:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, 2021.
  • Emergency Order 2 KS-2-06-21 allows catch-and-release only 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. 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, with 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.

Archives

Mat-Su Area Archives for:
Aug 18, 2021 Aug 12, 2021 Aug 04, 2021 Jul 28, 2021 Jul 21, 2021 Jul 14, 2021 Jul 07, 2021 Jun 30, 2021
Jun 22, 2021 Jun 16, 2021 Jun 10, 2021 Jun 03, 2021 May 25, 2021 May 19, 2021 May 11, 2021 May 05, 2021