Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 22, 2021

* Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing, and wearing a face covering when social distancing is not possible and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store.

Local Lakes

• The Mat-Su has a few lakes that are exclusively catch-and-release with single-hook, provisions. Try your luck on Long Lake (Matanuska Lakes Complex), X Lake (near Talkeenta), or 4-wheel out to Wishbone Lake (near Sutton).
• If you would like a peaceful day on the water, South Rolly has some nice camping opportunities in the State Park as well as canoe rentals.
• Kepler/Bradley Lakes have been consistently good for rainbow fishing this week. This is a great place to take the young anglers to teach them how to fish.
• If the mountains are calling, head up the Glenn Highways for scenic fishing at Long Lake (mile 86), or go all the way to Knob Lake near Eureka.

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• Deshka is open to king salmon harvest. See emergency order 2-KS-2-23-21 below. King fishing on the Deshka has been good at the mouth and lower seven miles of river. Try a variety of spinners or fishing with salmon eggs under a bobber. Please use caution when navigating up this shallow river as there are many shallow riffles and occasional large boulders.
• Catch-and-release fishing on the lower Little Susitna River has been mostly good.
• King fishing at Eklutna Tailrace has been fair to good. Try the mouth area, but don't be afraid to go above the bridge. Eggs under a bobber works well and also casting out a Vibrax. This is a stocked fishery open all year long to king harvest, but right now is the time to fish it.
• Parks Highway streams are open to catch-and-release fishing for king salmon by EO and are weekend only fishing on Sundays-Mondays only for two more weekends, (June 27-28, and July 4-5). Catch and release include king salmon of all sizes including jacks. Sport fishing gear is restricted to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure in all waters of the Susitna River drainage. Fishing for kings in designated waters is from 6am-11pm. Side drifting a single hook corky setup with enough weight to get it near the bottom works well at the mouth of Willow and Montana creeks.

Rainbow Trout

• The Palmer-Wasilla Zone flowing waters are now open to fishing for rainbows as well as Deception Creek.

• Heading further north on the Parks Highway, try Chulitna, Honolulu, Byers, or Troublesome Creeks.
• If you are looking to camp and fish rainbows, you can do both on Willow, Kashwitna (Susitna Landing), and Montana Creek.

Northern Pike

• Pike fishing is excellent in June as pike are feeding aggressively.
• Anglers may retain as many pike as they catch – there is no bag or possession limit. In the freshwaters of West Cook Inlet and Susitna River drainage, anglers are not allowed to release live pike back into the water.
• For road-accessible pike fishing, try the Nancy Lake Recreation Area lakes, Long Lake near Willow, Memory, and Prator lakes.
• Boat-accessible pike fishing can be found in the side sloughs of the Deshka River, Alexander Creek, Fish Creek (Kroto Slough), and Hewitt Lake.
• For fly-in pike fishing try Alexander, Shell, Eightmile, Trapper, Flathorn, and Sucker lakes.

Emergency Orders

Please review the Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-23-21 lifts preseason restrictions placed on the Deshka River king fishery. One king over 20 inches per day/ two in possession is allowed and bait and multiple hooks are allowed. Other king fisheries on the Susitna River remain catch-and-release fishing only for king salmon. See emergency order 2-KS-2-14-21. In these catch-and-release fisheries, sport fishing gear continues to be restricted to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure. In addition, fishing time continues to be reduced in Unit 2 or the Susitna River to allow catch-and-release fishing for king salmon from Saturday, May 1 through Monday, June 14, 2021, and then only on Sunday and Monday for three consecutive weeks starting Sunday, June 20. This EO is in effect through 11:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, 2021.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-06-21 allows catch-and-release only of king salmon in the Little Susitna River and limits sport fishing gear to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, 2021.
• Emergency Order 2-R-2-03-21 adds Leech, Summit, Zero, Kings, and Anderson Lakes to the list of lakes stocked with hatchery fish. The bag and possession limit for rainbow trout in these lakes is five fish, of which only one may be 20 inches or greater in length. The bag and possession limit for Arctic grayling is five fish, with no size limit.

Don't forget to purchase your 2021 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2021 sport fishing license and king stamp through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home. Also, make sure to review Emergency Orders and the 2021 Southcentral 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.