Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 03, 2023

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• The Fish Creek Youth-Only fishery is this Saturday and Sunday from 5 a.m.-10 p.m., August 5 - 6. If you are 15 years of age or younger, you may fish for all species, except king salmon. Bag limits have been increased by emergency order to 6 salmon per day of which only 2 may be coho for the youth-only fishery. Fishing for anglers of all ages will open again at 5 a.m. on Monday August 7 and by emergency order, allows 6 salmon (except kings and coho) per day and in possession through Friday, August 11, after which Fish Creek goes back to weekend only fishing according to regulations outlined in the regulations summary booklet.
• Bait is now allowed in many-but not all – Susitna River tributaries. Check for exceptions to the general regulations before fishing.
• Jim Creek is now closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and fishing is only allowed between 5am-10pm on Wednesdays through Sundays through the remainder of the season.
• Coho fishing is mostly good on the lower Little Susitna River out of the Little Susitna Public Use Facility. With waters continuing to clear, fishing should improve for coho, pinks, and chums. Anglers are reminded that bait is not allowed on the Little Susitna River until August 6, and the daily bag and possession limit for coho is two fish.
• Pinks and chums are available along Parks Highway streams with coho numbers steadily increasing. By highway vehicle, try the mouths of Willow, Kashwitna, Caswell, Sheep, and Montana creeks. By boat, try the mouth of Little Willow and Bullfrog Slough.
• Water levels are good for coho fishing at the Deshka mouth and lower river up to the weir. Try eggs under a bobber and just about any color of spinners size 3 – 5. This fishery has been best early morning or late evening.
• Try the lower sloughs of the Yentna, such and Moose and Indian creeks, and also at Lake Creek. Coho fishing is expected to pick up in these areas this weekend and into next week.
• For sockeye, try Cottonwood (weekend only) and Jim Creek in the Knik Arm area and Larson Creek of the Talkeetna River.
• Fish counts and water stage is posted on our Fish Count webpage. Jim Creek counts are now available online.

Northern Pike

• Anglers may retain as many pike as they catch - there is no bag or possession limit. In the freshwaters of West Cook Inlet the Knik Arm, and Susitna River drainage, anglers are not allowed to release live pike back into the water.
• Roadside, try Nancy, Big, Horseshoe, Long and Rainbow Lakes.
• Fly-in to Trapper, Shell, Alexander, or Sucker Lakes.

Rainbow Trout

• Rainbow trout fishing is good on Parks Highway streams. Take advantage of the good weather and clear waters. Fishing has been good from Willow Creek up to the Chulitna River and Clear Creek off the Talkeetna River. This is a good time for egg patterns, egg sucking leaches, and flesh flies. Also try sculpins, leeches, mice, and dolly llamas.
• Deception Creek, Byers, and Honolulu Creeks are a little more off the beaten path. You can also do a Railroad whistle stop off Indian Creek if you are feeling adventurous.
• August fishing will only improve as the salmon begin spawning.

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-RS-2-52-23 increases the bag and possession limits for salmon, other than king and coho salmon, 16 inches or greater in length, to six per day and six in possession in all waters of Fish Creek open to salmon fishing effective 5:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 1 through 10:00 p.m. Friday, August 11, 2023. In addition, sport fishing on Fish Creek will be allowed seven days per week from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. each day. Retention of coho salmon is not allowed, except in the youth-only fishery, which occurs Saturday – Sunday, August 5-6.
• 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.