Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

July 2, 2025

Freshwater Fishing

King Salmon

• Reminder to anglers, all king salmon fishing, including catch and release, is CLOSED except for the stocked fishery at the Eklutna Tailrace. Sport fishing gear is limited to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure or fly with a gap between the point and shank of the hook of ½ inch or less.
• The Eklutna Tailrace is a stocked fishery where you can use bait and multiple hooks. Fishing has been fair to good. Try drifting bait under a bobber or a variety of lures in sizes 3-5. Kodiak customs, Vibrax, and Pixies work well.

Sockeye, pinks, and chums

• It is early, but anglers could try Cottonwood Creek for sockeye. This is a weekend only fishery open Saturdays and Sundays from 5:00am-10:00pm. You can fish from the mouth upstream 1 mile.
• Fish Creek off Knik Goose Bay is open seven days a week until July 14 from 5:00am-10:00pm. The weir has been installed, and counts are available online. There are already a few fish behind the weir.
• Little Susitna waters are coming down and clarity is improving. All king salmon fishing is closed. You may get lucky and catch a sockeye or chum. Sport fishing gear is limited to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure with a gap between the point and shank of the hook of ½ inch or less.
• Jim Creek is open to fishing for all species except king salmon through July 31. Restrictions on time and days doesn’t start until coho season - August 1.

Rainbow Trout

• Fishing for rainbows on the Parks Highway streams is good. Try Willow, Montana, Kashwitna, Little Willow and Goose creeks. Fish wet flies like wooly buggers, cotton candy, leeches, sculpins and the infamous egg sucking leech. Sport fishing gear is limited to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure with a gap between the point and shank of the hook of ½ inch or less.
• Willow Creek has multiple access points off Willow Fishhook Road. Montana Creek may be accessed at several locations off the Talkeetna Spur Road; single day float trips are popular on Willow and Montana creeks.
• Further north, tributaries of the Chulitna, such as Honolulu Creek and Byers Creek should also provide good rainbow trout opportunity.

Northern Pike

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

Local Lakes

If you want to camp and fish check out these lakes: South Rolly, Matanuska, Finger, North and South Big Lake, Rocky Lake all have developed camping sites.

Sport Fishing Angler Access Sites:

• Sheep Creek Slough: walk in angler access and camping are OPEN.
• Susitna Landing (Kashwitna): Boat Launch & Campground are OPEN.
  • Campground reservations are only available online: ALASKA DEPARTMENT of FISH and GAME
  • Boat Launch & Day Use Parking payment via T2 kiosk (Credit Card Only)
• Bonnie Lake: Boat Launch OPEN, Day Use Only.
• Caswell Creek: Walk in angler access and camping are OPEN.
• Eklutna Tailrace, Facility is OPEN, Day Use Only.
• Little Susitna Public Use Facility (LSPUF): Boat Launch & Campground are OPEN.
  • Campground reservations are only available online: ALASKA DEPARTMENT of FISH and GAME
  • Boat Launch & Day Use Parking payment via T2 kiosk (Credit Card Only)

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-2-06-25 Closes the Susitna River drainage to sport fishing for king salmon. In addition, sport fishing gear is limited to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure with a gap between the point and shank of the hook that is one-half inch or less in the Susitna River drainage (Units 1-6).
• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-05-25 Closes the Little Susitna to sport fishing for king salmon and limits gear to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure with a gap of one-half inch or less when fishing for other species.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-11-25 Closes all waters of West Cook Inlet Management Area to sport fishing for king salmon.

Don't forget to purchase your 2025 sport fishing license and king stamp! You can purchase and display your fishing license and king stamp, record your annual harvest (i.e. king salmon), access sport fishing regulations and locations, and so much more on your mobile device. Download the ADF&G Mobile App today. You can also purchase licenses through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home. Make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2025 Southcentral Alaska 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.