Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 16, 2023

Local Lakes

• Recently stocked lakes include Walby, Willow, Kashwitna, Memory, Echo, Prator, Marion, Lynne, Seventeenmile, Reed, and Finger Lakes. Try a variety of spinners in size 1 or a small piece of fresh shrimp under a bobber.
• Stay tuned to our stocking webpage for more information as additional Mat-Su lakes are stocked throughout this week.

Freshwater Fishing

• The Palmer-Wasilla Zone flowing waters and Deception Creek are now open to fishing for rainbow trout.
• King Salmon
  • The Eklutna Tailrace is the only area open to harvest in the Northern Cook Inlet management area. This is a stocked fishery where you can use bait and multiple hooks. Fishing success has been slow with low water conditions. Fishing is expected to pick up this weekend.
  • A Youth-Only king salmon fishery (15 years or younger) will take place this Saturday, June 17 from 6 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Eklutna Tailrace. The area open to youth-only is from the mouth of the Tailrace to the pedestrian bridge. Please be respectful to our youth in this area during this time and leave this designated area open for the kids. The remainder of the tailrace is open for all anglers.
  • Catch-and-release fishing on the Little Su has been slow. Anglers are reminded the single-hook restriction remains in place through July 13.
  • The Deshka remains closed to fishing for king salmon. Deshka weir counts are available online.

Northern Pike

• Pike fishing can be excellent during June. Try top water lures, weedless spoons and leeches.
• Boat accessible pike fishing can be had on the side channel sloughs of the Deshka River, Fish Creek (Kroto Slough), or Moose and Indian creeks on the Yentna River.
• For fly-in pike fishing try Alexander, Shell, Eightmile, Trapper, Flathorn, and Sucker lakes.
• For road-accessible pike fishing, try the Nancy Lake Recreation Area lakes, Horseshoe, Big Lake, Long Lake near Willow, Memory Lake and Prator Lakes.

Rainbow Trout

Parks Highway streams from Willow Creek north to Talkeetna River continue to flow at higher-than-normal levels. Willow Creek has multiple access points off Willow Fishhook Road. Montana Creek can be accessed at several locations off the Talkeetna Spur Road. There are several campgrounds on both rivers to make it a fun Father’s Day weekend.

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-2-07-23 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.
• 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.

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.