Area Sport Fishing Reports
Tanana

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 22, 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.

Northern pike fishing has been fair in Interior lakes. Be aware; George Creek and the Tanana River launch closest to George Lake is very low. The warmer weather we are experiencing may raise the river by this weekend, so these conditions may change. Water levels in Minto Flats have also 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.

Arctic grayling fishing has been good. Most grayling are surface feeding on insects and readily strike a dry fly or one submerged just below the surface. In streams target grayling hiding behind bigger rocks in the flow waiting to strike on drifting insects or on the edge of seams coming off the thalweg. Other options are to target Arctic grayling on small spinners, silver to copper color small spoons, or jigs. This time of year is the most productive fishing for Arctic grayling in the high alpine lakes with the air temperatures warming and the increasing emergence of insects on the tundra.

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

Lake trout fishing in higher alpine lakes has been good casting from shore where shallow shelfs dive into the deep and using heavier weighted spoons or swim shads that get you closer to the bottom (15-20ft) where the cooler water is are working best. Looking to try a new area check out some of our stocked lake trout lakes like Craig Lake, Rapids Lake, North Twin on Meadows Road, or Coal Mine #5 off Coal Mine Road.

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. This closure prohibits 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. The 2021 Yukon River drainage king and chum salmon runs are weak. A conservative management approach is being taken to protect the 2021 king and chum salmon run. Subsistence and personal use fishing have been closed within the Yukon River drainage (including the Tanana River drainage). 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.