Area Sport Fishing Reports
Upper Copper/Upper Susitna
Archived Sport Fishing Report
August 24, 2023
Personal Use Fishing
- The Chitina Subdistrict personal use dipnet salmon fishery on the Copper River is currently open through the end of the season at 11:59 p.m. Saturday, September 30. The river level continues to slowly drop and dipnetters are reporting phenomenal late-season fishing. Some silver salmon have begun to show up in catches and the proportion of silvers should increase as we move into September.
- Call the Chitina Personal Use Fishery Hotline at 907-822-5224 for more information on the Chitina dipnet fishery.
Sport Fishing
For a guide to where all the accessible fisheries are, check out Sport fishing 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.
Arctic grayling
- Arctic grayling fishing in area creeks should improve as fish migrate to overwintering areas, providing anglers the opportunity to catch some larger fish. Large lakes like Lake Louise and Paxson Lake should also provide great angling opportunity with cooler temperatures prevailing.
Lake trout and burbot
- With the cooler daily temperatures and cloudy skies, lake trout should be moving up into some shallower waters. This may open some more opportunity for shore angling success for both species.
Dolly Varden
- The Little Tonsina River and the upper Klutina River are still good choices for Dollies. Also try along the Nabesna and McCarthy Roads; the fish may not be big, but they are plentiful. For even smaller Dollies you can have a great time fishing the Tiekel River which runs along Richardson Highway on the way to Valdez.
Sockeye salmon
- If you are still looking for some salmon opportunity late-season sockeye salmon fishing opportunities, there still be red salmon in the Klutina and Gulkana Rivers.
Emergency Orders
Please review the Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements listed at the top of this report in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip. Also, be sure to review the 2023 Northern Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.
Press Release
ADF&G News
- Download the ADF&G Mobile App today. You can purchase and display your fishing license and king stamp, record your annual harvest (i.e. king salmon, halibut), access sport fishing regulations and locations, and so much more on your mobile device. You can also purchase your license and dipnetting permits online at the ADF&G online store.
- Also, check out ADF&G's new gofishak interactive map to discover popular fishing locations and information on species run timing, fishing gear selections, and boat and angler access tips.
For more information
For more information, please call the Glennallen office at (907) 822-3309.