Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

September 08, 2017

Fall Fishing Report

Emergency Orders and Regulation Reminders

• Starting September 1, the Parks Highway streams and many other Mat-Su and West Cook Inlet waters go to no bait and single-hook only; therefore, review the 2017 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet before going fishing.
• By Emergency Order No. 2-SS-2-39-17, bait is allowed on the Little Susitna River through September 30, 2017. The bag and possession limit remains at three salmon, of which only two may be a coho salmon.
• By Emergency Order No. 2-SS-2-38-17, the daily bag and possession for salmon was increased to four fish, except king salmon, in Wasilla and Cottonwood creeks. All four salmon may be coho. In addition, the two-day weekend only fishery was extended to include Monday; therefore, fishing is allowed Saturdays through Mondays from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• By Emergency Order No. 2-SS-2-37-17, the daily bag limit and possession limit for salmon was increased to four per day and eight in possession, except king salmon, in the Susitna River drainage (Units 1-6) through September 30, 2017. All four salmon may be coho; however, no more than three per day and six in possession may be pink, chum, and sockeye salmon in combination.
• By Emergency Order No. 2-SS-2-36-17, Fish Creek is open to fishing for salmon seven days per week, 5:00 a.m. to10:00 p.m. The bag and possession limit for salmon is four fish, except king salmon, of which all four may be a coho salmon.
• Jim Creek is closed to sport fishing for all species on Mondays and Tuesdays. Fishing is only allowed between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays.

Freshwater Fishing Report

Salmon

• The best success for coho salmon this time of year comes from the Talkeetna River and nearby streams such as Sunshine and Rabideux Creeks.
• Willow, Montana, and Eklutna Tailrace usually see late coho salmon trickling in. Fishing has been slow.
• In early September, coho can be found in the tributaries and sloughs of the Yentna and Skwentna Rivers. Most anglers try at Moose, Indian, Bottle, or Hewitt Creeks. Expect slow fishing conditions.

Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

• Rainbow trout fishing should be good to excellent well into freeze up. Look for trout with the spawning coho during the last two weeks in September. When the waters do drop, target trout in deeper holes and near or below the mouths of streams draining into the Susitna. Flesh flies and sculpin patterns work well in late fall.

Northern Pike

• Pike fishing will continue to improve until freeze up.
• Road accessible lakes include Nancy, South Rolly, Tanaina, and Memory Lakes.
• Try Alexander and Trapper Lakes for fly-outs.
• Pike are also to be found in Sucker, Donkey, and Eightmile Lakes.
• River fishing is good in the sloughs of the Yentna and Susitna Rivers.

Lake Fishing

• With the cooler temperatures of fall approaching, Mat-Su Valley Lakes provide excellent fishing as fish become much more active, and feed in shallower water.
• In the Palmer/Wasilla area Lorraine, Carpenter, Knik, Lucille, Kepler, Rocky, and Echo Lakes are stocked with rainbow trout.
• Lakes stocked with landlocked salmon are Matanuska, Finger, Beverly, Loberg and Klaire.
• Arctic char are stocked in Benka, Finger, Irene, Long, Lynne, Marion, Matanuska, Prator, and Seventeenmile Lakes.
• Along the Glenn Highway northeast of Palmer Seventeenmile, Slipper, Long, Ravine, Weiner, Knob and North Knob Lakes all have rainbow trout.