(Palmer) - Three new lakes, Leech, Summit, and Zero lakes, have been added to the stocking program in the Northern Cook Inlet management area effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday June 20, 2020. Leech Lake is part of the Matanuska Lakes Complex and is accessible by foot from the Matanuska Lake trailhead and is stocked with 500 catchable rainbow trout. Summit Lake is in Hatcher Pass and is stocked with 500 catchable Arctic grayling. Zero Lake is in the Houston area, and is stocked with 3,722 fingerling rainbow trout. Details for these new lakes can be found on the Alaska Lake Database (ALDAT).

The bag and possession limit for rainbow trout in these stocked lakes is five fish, of which only one fish may be 20 inches or greater in length. For Arctic grayling, the bag and possession limit is five fish, no size limit.

The stocking program provides alternative opportunities for anglers that might otherwise direct their efforts toward native fish that are vulnerable to over-fishing. As sport fishing pressure continues to increase in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, hatchery fish are becoming a more important management tool to satisfy recreational demands.

Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing the current State of Alaska Health Mandates in effect. This includes practicing social distancing while sport fishing and wearing a face covering when fishing and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.

For additional information, please review pages 25 and 88-89 of the 2020 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet or contact the ADF&G Palmer office at (907) 746-6300.

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