Area Sport Fishing Reports
Upper Copper/Upper Susitna

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 19, 2021

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

Personal Use

In the Copper River, the Chitina Subdistrict personal use fishery is currently open through September 30. Fishing below the bridge has been reported fair to good and there has been little effort.

The retention of king salmon is prohibited during both of these periods, and for the remainder of the season.

Informational Hotlines for Chitina Personal Use Fishery

• Anchorage: 907-267-2511
• Fairbanks: 907-459-7382
• Glennallen: 907-822-5224

Sport Fishing

Freshwater Fishing

Lake trout fishing still remains good on Lake Louise, Susitna, and Tyone Lakes. No reports from Paxson Lake, but that lake always produces great fish. There are also multiple other lakes in the region that support lake trout and burbot but are more challenging to access. Give us a call for more information on these unique fishing opportunities.

Now that we are passing the warmest days of this summer, Arctic grayling, rainbow trout, and Dolly Varden will be starting their migrations from summer feeding areas to their overwintering habitats in the main tributaries.

The upper Klutina River is a perfect place to try your hand at resident rainbow trout, Arctic grayling, and some of the fattest Dolly Varden you may ever see.

For a guide to where all the accessible fisheries are, check out Sportfishing Alaska rivers and lakes in the Upper Copper/Upper Susitna River Basin. This guide lists all the fisheries, species available, and mile markers along all the major highways crossing the Upper Copper and Upper Susitna Area.

Salmon

Hatchery sockeye salmon bound for the Gulkana River is showing up in increasing numbers in the personal use and subsistence fisheries. This means Gulkana sockeye salmon, both wild and hatchery are starting their entry into that clear tributary. Fishing for these fish should only improve over the next four weeks.

Emergency Orders

Please review the Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip:

• Emergency Order 3-RS-I-10-21 opens the Chitina Subdistrict personal use dip net fishery for the remainder of the season starting 12:01 a.m. Monday, August 9.
• Emergency Order 3-KS-I-06-21 closes all king salmon sport fisheries in the Upper Copper River drainage effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, June 26.

For more information

Call the Glennallen office at (907) 822-3309 with any additional questions.

Interactive Fishing Location Maps

NEW! Check out the #wefishak page on the ADF&G website for the new gofishak interactive map to discover popular fishing locations and information on species run timing, fishing gear selections, and boat and angler access tips!

Don't forget to bring your 2021 sport fishing license. Help maximize social distancing by purchasing your sport fishing license at the ADF&G Online Store. You can print your license from the comfort of your home. Also, be sure to review Emergency Orders and the 2021 Northern Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet for the area you are fishing in before you head out.