Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

August 14, 2019

Week of August 14 - August 20

Freshwater Fishing

• Fish Creek is open by emergency order to seven days per week, 5:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. each day. Six salmon are allowed per day and in possession, of which only two may be a coho salmon. Fishing for coho salmon should pick up this weekend. Remember once a limit of salmon is taken, such as two coho salmon, an angler must stop fishing for all fish species in waters open to salmon fishing for the remainder of the day.
• Larson Creek drainage and all waters within a one-quarter mile radius of its confluence with the Talkeetna River are closed to all salmon fishing by emergency order for the remainder of the season. See corresponding Emergency Order below.
• By emergency order, bait is prohibited on the Little Susitna River through September 30. See corresponding Emergency Order below. Fishing success is expected to be low while water levels remain low.
• This Saturday, August 17 a Youth-Only coho fishery will take place at the Eklutna Tailrace for anglers 15 years and younger to fish from the confluence of the Knik River upstream to the pedestrian bridge from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. Fishing is expected to be good near the mouth.
• Wasilla Creek and Cottonwood Creeks are weekend-only fisheries, from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Wasilla Creek is open to fishing for salmon other than king salmon, from its mouth upstream to the AK Railroad bridge; and Cottonwood Creek from its mouth upstream one mile. Coho fishing should be good at Cottonwood and fair at Wasilla Creek this next weekend.
• Parks Highway streams, with exception of Kashwitna, are very low and clear. Fishing for salmon has been best near the mouths of these streams. Talkeetna River near the mouth of Clear Creek has been producing some coho for anglers recently. Fishing in lower Kashwitna River from shore or boat has also been productive for some.
• On Deshka, mornings at the mouth has been best for coho fishing. Fishing has been slow.
• Jim Creek is closed to sport fishing for any species on Mondays and Tuesdays and fishing is allowed only between 5:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m. Wednesdays - Sundays. Fishing for sockeye and coho has been slow.
• On the Yentna River, fish the mouths of Lake, Fish Lakes, Indian, and Moose creeks. Fishing has been fair to good at times.
• On the west side of Cook Inlet, coho fishing is good on the Chuit and Theodore rivers.
• Fishing for rainbow trout on the Parks Highway streams from Willow Creek north is excellent. Try fishing egg patterns as trout are now targeting large king salmon eggs. Water levels are favorable for fishing and extremely clear. Fishing for Dolly Varden and Arctic Grayling should be good too.

Local Lakes

• It’s a beautiful time of year for lake fishing. Cooler temperatures have fish coming in shallow early in the morning and late in the evening.
• Combine blueberry picking and rainbow trout fishing with some of our alpine lakes up the Glenn Highway such as Knob, North Knob, Ravine, Weiner, and Long Lake (mile 86) lakes.
• Visit the ADF&G stocking webpage to find out which lakes have recently been stocked.

Emergency Orders

Please review the Emergency Orders and News Releases below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

• Emergency Order 2-RS-2-47-19 closed sport fishing for all salmon species in the Larson Creek drainage and within a one-quarter mile radius of its confluence with the Talkeetna River effective through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, December 31, 2019.
• Emergency Order 2-RS-2-46-19 increased the bag and possession limit for salmon, other than king salmon, to six per day and six in possession; however, no more than two per day and in possession may be coho salmon. In addition, sport fishing is allowed on Fish Creek from seven days per week from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. effective through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, December 31, 2019.
• Emergency Order 2-NP-2-16-19 closed Alexander and Sucker lakes to sport fishing.

For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Palmer Area Office at (907) 746-6300.