Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

June 11, 2026

Palmer Management Area

Freshwater Fishing

• King salmon fishing is improving each day at the Eklutna Tailrace. Most effort is from boats launching at the Knik River bridge. Bait and multiple hooks are allowed. Water remains low, use caution when launching from the Knik bridge and check the tide tables before heading out. Bank angler effort is increasing daily, and water levels have started to come up providing a better drift from shore. Any day now, shore fishing should produce good catches. This fishery peaks in the third week of June. Remember to purchase your 2026 king salmon stamp along with your license for this fishery. You can record your catch with the new mobile app. This is the only location open to king salmon harvest in Northern Cook Inlet.
• Little Susitna rainbow fishing has been good, and the first dozen kings have made it over the weir as well as some sockeye. The Little Su fishery is restricted to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure with a gap between the point and shank of one-half inch or less through July 13.
• We are almost through the spawning closure for rainbow trout. Many flowing waters along the Parks Highway are catch-and-release ONLY for rainbow trout until June 15.
• Anglers are reminded that flowing waters in the Palmer-Wasilla Zone are CLOSED to all fishing until June 15. This includes Cottonwood Creek off Seward Meridian.

Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

• Parks Highway streams from Willow Creek north to Talkeetna River should provide good action for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, and Arctic grayling when water levels clear up from recent rains. Use caution when navigating these rivers. Hydro forecasts indicate a slight rise in water levels through Wednesday.

Northern Pike

• Big Lake remains good to excellent for pike fishing. You can also try Lalen, West Beaver, Nancy or Prator lakes. Stick to the grassy areas where these fish spawn. This is a great time of year for bowfishing. Try top-water lures or weedless leeches.
• If you want a boat trip for pike try Fish Creek (Kroto Slough), or Moose and Indian creeks on the Yentna River.

Local Lakes

• Recent rain events have raised river levels causing muddy conditions. Lake fishing remains excellent and consistent.
• This is a nice time of year to go up the Glenn Highway and fish the lakes in the mountains. It’s quiet, and the stocked lakes produce some great fishing. Knob and North Knob lakes off the Alascom road near Eureka are beautiful. Long Lake (mile 86 Glenn Highway) is also very pretty and stocked with a variety of fish, including lake trout.
• Bonnie Lake (mile 83.3 Glenn HWY) is a great place to try for graying; this lake is not stocked. Ravine lake just before Bonnie is stocked with rainbow trout - or you could continue down the highway and fish Weiner Lake (mile 87.5 Glenn HWY) which is also stocked with rainbows.
• If weather conditions remain rainy there are a lot of plant fossils at Coyote Lake and this is a fun place to take kids. This tiny lake is stocked with rainbow trout, and the rain is helpful for finding fossils. You will need 4-wheel drive to get back there as this road isn’t maintained.
• Nancy Lake has reports of good-sized rainbows. Troll the shelves on the west side of the lake. Both fly fishing and spin fishing tackle are effective at catching rainbow trout.
• Knik and Memory Lakes and have been stocked with rainbow trout. Good catches are already being reported from both lakes.
• Stay tuned to our stocking webpage for more information.

Sport Fishing Angler Access Sites

• Sheep Creek Slough: walk in angler access and camping are OPEN.
• Talkeetna boat launch was dredged last week. Launch is open and functioning.
• Susitna Landing (Kashwitna): Boat Launch and Campground are OPEN. Boat launch is currently dry from low water conditions.
  • ????Online reservation system for the campground is up and running
• Bonnie Lake: Boat Launch OPEN, Day Use Only.
• Caswell Creek: Walk in angler access and camping are open.
• Eklutna Tailrace, Facility is open, Day Use Only.
• Little Susitna Public Use Facility (LSPUF): Boat Launch and Campground are OPEN.
  • Online reservation system for the campground is up and running
  • Payment via the iron ranger (Cash or Check) for Boat Launch & Day Use Parking
  • Season passes can only be purchased in person at the Palmer ADFG office.

Emergency Orders

Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip:

• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-12-26 Closes the Susitna River drainage to sport fishing for king salmon. In addition, sport fishing gear is limited to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure with a gap between the point and shank of the hook that is one-half inch or less in the Susitna River drainage (Units 1-6).
• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-11-26 Closes the Little Susitna to sport fishing for king salmon and limits gear to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure with a gap of one-half inch or less when fishing for other species.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-6-26 Closes all waters of West Cook Inlet Management Area to sport fishing for king salmon.

Don't forget to purchase your 2026 sport fishing license and king stamp! You can purchase and display your fishing license and king stamp, record your annual harvest (i.e. king salmon), access sport fishing regulations and locations, and so much more on your mobile device. Download the ADF&G Mobile App today. You can also purchase licenses through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home.

Make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2026 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.

For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Palmer Area Office at 907-746-6300.