Area Sport Fishing Reports
Upper Copper/Upper Susitna
Archived Sport Fishing Report
June 13, 2019
PERSONAL USE
Copper River Chitina Subdistrict will open Friday, June 7th at 12:01 am and will remain open through Sunday June 23rd at 11:59 p.m.. Dipnetters may retain a king salmon during the fishery. Parking is extremely limited at O’Brien Creek and boat launching there may be difficult to impossible. Water level is currently low on the river, but is rising.
A dipnetter was killed on Saturday by falling into the river. ADF&G advises all dipnetters to wear life jackets and to tie off to a solid object with a good quality rope while operating dip nets on the Copper River.
SPORT FISHING
All lakes and streams are open and flowing. Water temperatures are above normal and fish appear to be active. All rivers are currently running low and are fishable.
Lake trout are active this time of year and with water temperatures on the mild side. Try Lake Louise, Paxson, and Summiit lakes for easy roadside access. Reports from Lake Louise are that the fishing is good right now for lakers.
King salmon numbers are increasing in the Gulkana River and fish can be found throughout the Gulkana River with the best fishing still below Sailors Pit. Remember when fishing below the Richardson Highway Bridge you are limited to unbaited flies only. Both kings and sockeye have reached the counting tower and counts are tracking above projection for this date. The king salmon run is obviously early this year, but overall run strength is still unknown. Fishing conditions are about perfect.
Sockeye salmon are in the Klutina and catch rates are improving with many anglers getting their limit of three. Expect fishing to continue to pick up through the month. Based on current sonar passage, it is very unlikely that any changes to sockeye salmon bag limits will occur during 2019.
The Copper Basin abounds in streams and lakes full of Arctic grayling and Dolly Varden. Most Arctic grayling will be found in lakes or larger rivers like the Gulkana. Dolly Varden can be found in most streams. The upper Klutina is an especially fun fishery for Dollies during the spring and early summer. You will need an access permit from Ahtna to enjoy this fishing from shore this year.
STOCKED LAKES
All roadside stocked waters have fresh fish in them. The last of the lakes to be stocked will happen Wednesday June 12th.