Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Recent Emergency Orders & Press Releases for Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

By emergency order, the Little Susitna River is closed to fishing for king salmon for the duration of the season. Only one, single-hook, artificial lure will be allowed when fishing for other species through July 13.
By emergency order, the Susitna drainage (Units 1 – 6 of the Susitna River) is closed to fishing for king salmon for the duration of the season. Only one, single-hook, artificial lure will be allowed when fishing for other species through July 13. The Deshka River is included in this emergency order.
The Eklutna Tailrace is excluded from all king salmon emergency order restrictions. Please review the applicable regulations in the 2017 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.
Anglers are reminded that a regulation passed by the Board in 2014 impacting boat motor use on the Little Susitna River is in effect this season. On the Little Susitna River, a person may not sport fish from a boat that is powered by use of a motor, unless the motor is a 4-stroke motor or direct fuel injection 2-stroke motor. Anglers may use a boat powered by a non-direct fuel injected 2-stroke motor to access areas to sport fish from the bank, but may not sport fish from the boat.

King salmon continue to be caught daily at the Eklutna Tailrace, which is open 24 hours per day. Bait is allowed.
The first chum passed the Little Susitna weir on July 4. It is still early for sockeye, chum, pink, and coho salmon; expect fishable numbers by mid-July.
The Little Susitna and Deshka weirs are in operation; fish counts are available online.

Fishing has been good for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, and Arctic grayling along Parks Highway streams, including Clear Creek.
There are several good access roads off Willow Fishhook for fishing upper Willow Creek. Deception Creek can also produce some nice rainbows this time of year.
Access Montana Creek off Talkeetna Spur Road. Try down Helena Road, Michele Road, or Yoder Road. For the more adventurous angler, try hiking and fishing upstream of Yoder Rd on either the Middle or North forks.
Rainbows will follow king salmon as they ascend rivers to spawn. Try egg and flesh patterns or a wooly bugger type fly with a beaded head.

Pike fishing has been excellent lately. Try top-water weedless lures and flies fished in heavily vegetated waters.
For road-accessible pike fishing try Anderson, King, Horseshoe, and Rainbow lakes or the Nancy Lake Canoe System Lakes; specifically Frazier, Little Frazier, Tanaina, Ardaw, Milo, Lynx, and Nancy lakes.
Pike are also present in the lakes, ponds and sloughs of the Susitna River drainage. Boat-accessible locations for pike fishing include the Deshka River, Fish Creek, Flathorn Lake, Hewitt Lake, Fish Creek (Kroto Slough), Moose Creek (Yentna River), and Alexander Creek.
For fly-in fishing try Alexander, Trapper, Shell, Eight-mile, and Sucker lakes.

Lake fishing has been excellent! Try sinking flies such as dragon and damsel nymphs, or leech patterns for big rainbows.
For a 4-wheel ride in fishing adventure check out Wishbone and Ruby Lakes.
Over 80 lakes are stocked in the Mat-Su. To review the recent stocking records, please visit the ADF&G Hatcheries and Stocking webpage.