Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

August 26, 2025

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Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• Please remember that many streams become single-hook, artificial lure or fly as of September 1, as coho season slows down and rainbow trout start to move to bigger waters for the winter. Check the regulations closely before fishing.
• Fish Creek is open 7 days a week from 5am-10pm. Fishing for coho has been good.
• The Little Su and Deshka Rivers continue to be closed to bait and the retention of coho.
• The best success for coho salmon this time of year comes from the Talkeetna River and nearby streams such as Sunshine and Rabideux creeks.
• Willow, Montana, Jim Creek, and Eklutna Tailrace usually see late silvers trickling in. Fishing has been good at the tailrace and recently picked up on several Parks Highway streams.
• In early September, silvers can be found in the tributaries and sloughs of the Yentna and Skwentna rivers. Most anglers try Moose, Indian, Bottle, or Hewitt creeks.
• Wasilla Creek (Rabbit Slough) is a weekend only fishery, from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., where some late season coho can be found.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout fishing should be good to excellent until freeze up. Look for trout with the spawning coho during the last two weeks in September. Target trout in deeper holes and near or below the mouths of streams draining into the Susitna River. Flesh flies, beads, and sculpin patterns work well in late fall.

Northern Pike

Pike fishing will be good until freeze up. Try the Deshka side-sloughs, Memory, Knik, or Prator Lakes off the road system, or fly out to Sucker or Alexander Lakes.

Local Lakes

• With the cooler temperatures of fall approaching, Mat-Su Valley lakes provide excellent fishing as fish become much more active, and feed in shallower water.
• Lake trout are stocked in Matanuska and Long Lake (mile 86).
• In the Palmer/Wasilla area, Lorraine, Carpenter, Knik, Lucille, Kepler, Rocky, and Echo lakes are stocked with rainbow trout.
• Lakes stocked with landlocked salmon include Matanuska, Finger, Beverly, Loberg and Klaire.
• Arctic char are stocked in Benka, Finger, Irene, Long, Lynne, Marion, Matanuska, Prator, and Seventeenmile lakes.
• Along the Glenn Highway northeast of Palmer, Seventeenmile, Slipper, Long, Ravine, Weiner, Knob and North Knob lakes all have rainbow trout.
• Chinook catchables will be stocked late October just prior to freezing for ice fishing.
• Wishbone Lake, X Lake, and Long Lake (Matanuska Lakes Complex) have special catch and release, single-hook restrictions and close to all fishing November 1st-April 30th.

Burbot

Until the big freeze around October, this is the perfect time to target burbot as they start the fall migration. Good places to target them are the mouths of the Parks Highway Streams, particularly the streams north of, and including the Kashwitna River.

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)
  • Season Boat Launch passes can only be purchased in person at the Palmer ADFG office.
• 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-SS-2-50-25 Closes the Deshka to retention of coho salmon.
• Emergency Order 2-SS-2-51-25 Closes the Little Su to retention of coho salmon.
• Emergency Order 2-RS-2-46-25 Increases the bag and possession limits for sockeye in Larson Creek to six per day in which three per day may be coho and chum salmon in combination.

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.