Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 11, 2023

Local Lakes

• Stay tuned to our webpage for more information as Mat-Su lakes are becoming ice free and stocking events.
• Ice free lakes include: Kepler/Bradley, Echo, Loberg, and Lucile.

Freshwater Fishing

• 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.
• Many flowing waters along the Parks Highway are catch-and-release ONLY for rainbow trout until June 15.

Hooligan

• Once the river breaks free and Deshka Landing is operational for the season, the hooligan should be in the lower Susitna River, downstream of and around the Yentna confluence area. Look for gulls as they give away the location hooligan can be found along the sandbars. This fishery should be good through the end of the month. These fish are available by boat only and Deshka Landing is the primary access.
• You must hold an Alaskan resident sport fishing license to use a dipnet to catch hooligan. You may take as many hooligan as you will use.

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-R-2-02-23 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 maybe 20 inches or greater in length. The bag and possession limit for Arctic grayling is five fish, with no size limit. This emergency order is effective for the 2023 season.
• Emergency Order 2-DV-2-01-23 prohibits the retention of Arctic char/Dolly Varden in the Fish Creek (Big Lake) drainage. This emergency order is in effect through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 31, 2023.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-07-23 restricts fishing for king salmon in the Little Susitna River to catch-and-release only and sport fishing gear is restricted to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure. This emergency order is effective through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, July 13, 2023.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-05-23 closes sport fishing for king salmon in the Susitna River drainage, except for the Yentna River. Fishing for king salmon (any size) is closed in units 1,2,3,5, and 6 of the Susitna River. Unit 4 (Yentna River drainage) of the Susitna River is open to catch-and-release fishing only. Sport fishing gear is limited to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure in all flowing waters of the Susitna River drainage. This emergency order is in effect through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, July 13, 2023.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-06-23 closes all waters of the West Cook Inlet Management Area to sport fishing for king salmon, including catch and release fishing. The area affected by this Emergency Order includes all freshwater drainages flowing into Cook Inlet from Cape Douglas north to the Susitna River. This emergency order is in effect through 11:50 p.m. Friday, June 30, 2023.

Don’t forget to purchase your 2023 sport fishing license and king stamp! These can be purchased through the ADF&G online store and printed off from the comfort of your own home. Also, make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2023 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing in before you head out.

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