Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 23, 2023

Local Lakes

• Lake fishing has been excellent. The hatchery is moving fish weekly. Recently stocked lakes include: Kepler/Bradley, Slipper, Mile 180 Lake, South Rolly, Tanaina, Knob, N. Knob, Weiner, Gate, and Long Lake (mile 86 Glenn HWY).
• If you are looking for a place to camp and fish this weekend check out Nancy Lake Recreation area. South Rolly has quite a few camp sites and is stocked with rainbow trout. There is a canoe rental and opportunities are endless for canoeing in this system. You will also find pike fishing opportunities. Tanaina, North Rolly, and Rhein lakes are also stocked in this system.

Freshwater Fishing

• King Salmon
  • Regulation reminder for all king salmon anglers: Any time you are targeting king salmon (other than stocked lakes) you need to purchase a king salmon stamp. If you are fishing the Eklutna Tailrace and harvest a king salmon, you must record your catch immediately and you may no longer fish in any waters open to king salmon fishing on that same day. The daily bag limit is one king salmon and you are allowed 5 fish annually.
  • 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 is starting to improve. Try drifting bait under a bobber or a variety of lures in sizes 3-5. Kodiak customs, Vibrax, and pixies work well.
  • The Little Su is flooding and the catch and release fishing for king salmon is slow.
  • Lake Creek catch and release fishing for king salmon has been fair to good.

Northern Pike

• For road-accessible pike fishing, try the Nancy Lake Recreation Area lakes, Horseshoe, Big Lake, Long Lake near Willow, Memory Lake 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 Lake, Shell Lake, Eightmile Lake, Trapper Lake, Flathorn Lake, and Sucker Lake.

Rainbow Trout

• Parks Highway streams from Willow Creek north to Talkeetna River should provide good action for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, and Arctic grayling. Water levels have been variable with recent rain but are forecasted to come down in the next three days. Try anything olive or white in color. For fly fishing, Dolly Llamas and leeches are working well. If you are spin fishing use small single – hook spoons or spinners in silver or gold.
• The Susitna Landing Campground (MP 82.4 on the Kashwitna) is now open for camping, boat launch use, and day 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-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.