Area Sport Fishing Reports
Tanana

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 15, 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.

Sport Fishing

Freshwater Fishing

The Tanana River and its tributaries have cleared from rain events last week and are back to clear and low levels.

If you enjoy Arctic grayling fishing, try Tangle Lakes and the Tangle River. Arctic grayling are most readily caught on small spinners, silver to copper color spoons, and small wet or dry flies. This time of year is the most productive fishing for Arctic grayling in the Interior's high alpine lakes.

For helpful tips on technique and gear, watch the ADF&G video, How to Fish for Arctic Grayling before heading out.

Northern pike fishing has been fair in Interior lakes. One angler reported that northern pike fishing at George Lake was very productive, with very healthy fish being caught. The report also noted that George Creek is dropping, so be wary when boating into the lake. Water levels in Minto Flats have dropped - fishing there has been good, but there still is limited dry land available for onshore use and/or camping. This time of year aquatic weeds are reaching the surface and pike tend to hang near the bottom of vegetated areas waiting to prey on smaller fish. Try top-water lures such as mice, frogs, or ducklings and weedless spoons if fishing near vegetated areas. Heading to deeper cooler areas of the lake try fishing spoons such as Daredevils, Krocodiles, Little Cleo, or Pot o' Gold.

Lake Trout fishing in higher alpine lakes has been good casting from shore where shallow shelves dive into the deep. Try using heavier weighted spoons or swim shads that get you closer to the bottom where the cooler water.

Lake Fishing

Lake fishing is reported as excellent, especially in lakes where catchable rainbow trout and other hatchery fish have been stocked. With the hot summer days that have been hitting the Interior most stocked fish are starting to retreat to deeper cooler waters. Try fishing deeper sections of the lake to get to the fish hanging in cooler water. Most of the stocked lakes have bathymetric maps that can be accessed on the Alaska Lake Database. The database also has stocking information, and may also list facilities present, trail maps, as well as pictures of the lake and area. Try checking it out!

For the fly fishers, try sinking flies such as dragon and damsel nymphs, or leech patterns. For reel fishers, drift small pieces of shrimp under a bobber or use lures such as Super Dupers and Swedish Pimples to entice a bite.

Salmon

The Tanana River drainage is closed to sport fishing for king and chum salmon. These closures prohibit all sport fishing for king and chum salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. All king and chum salmon caught incidentally while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. For more information, see the Emergency Order information below.

King and chum salmon counting towers and sonar projects on the Chena and Salcha Rivers are currently operational, and unlike last summer the weather is cooperating and allowing physical counts to occur as well as the sonar to operate.

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-CS-U-02-21 closes all waters of the Tanana River drainage to sport fishing for chum salmon. All chum salmon caught incidentally in the Tanana River drainage while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
• Emergency Order 3-KS-U-05-21 closes all waters of the Tanana River drainage to sport fishing for king salmon. All king salmon caught incidentally in the Tanana River drainage while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
• Emergency Order 3-NP-U-01-21 reduces the Minto Flats northern pike bag and possession limit.
• Emergency Order 3-R-U-02-21 restricts Piledriver Slough and Moose Creek to catch-and-release fishing for all fish species.

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.

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!

For More Information

Call the Fairbanks office at (907) 459-7200 or the Delta Junction office at (907) 895-4632 with any questions.