Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

June 18, 2026

Palmer Management Area

Freshwater Fishing

• This Saturday at Eklutna tailrace it is all about the kids! The Youth-Only fishery at Eklutna will take place on Saturday, June 20th from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The youth-only zone is from the mouth upstream to the walking bridge. All anglers 15 years old or younger are encouraged to get out and make some memories. Adults can assist youngsters with casting and landing a fish. The kids have to set the hook. Be respectful and let the kids have their space.
• The Eklutna Tailrace produces a good amount of king salmon catches both in the boat fishery as well as the shore fishery. Eggs and spinners have been fishing well. Remember to purchase your 2026 king salmon stamp along with your license for this fishery. You can record your catch with the new mobile app. Bait and multiple hooks are allowed in this fishery and it’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This weekend is the typical peak of the fishery.
• The Palmer-Wasilla flowing zone waters are now open to sportfishing. Check regulations for specific locations before fishing.
• The Little Su Public Use Facility (LSPUF) boat launch and campground are open. Rainbow fishing has been decent but should get better as water levels are starting to level off and clear up the water.
• Talkeetna boat launch and parking is open. Dredging has been completed and water levels look good for launching boats.
• Fish Creek is open now for rod and reel until July 14th, you might get lucky and catch an early sockeye. This fishery is open from 5am-10pm 7 days a week. Typically, sockeye show up the first week of July.
• You could also try Cottonwood Creek, it’s open Saturdays and Sundays from 5am-10pm, but it is a little early.
• It’s early for Jim Creek as well, sockeye typically start showing up first part of July.

Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

Rainbow fishing will get better as the water clears up at the mouths of the Parks Highway streams, such as Willow, Kashwitna, Sheep, Montana, and Clear creek. Try smolt patterns, leeches, flesh flies, dolly llamas, and varied colors of pink beads.

Northern Pike

• Big Lake remains good to excellent for pike fishing. You can also try Lalen, West Beaver, Nancy or Prator lakes. Stick to the grassy areas where these fish spawn. This is a great time of year for bowfishing. Try top-water lures or weedless leeches.
• If you want a boat trip for pike try Fish Creek (Kroto Slough), or Moose and Indian creeks on the Yentna River.

Local Lakes

• Grab a canoe and head up the Glenn highway this weekend and check out both Knob and North Knob lakes. These two lakes produce some impressive rainbow trout. Both fly fishing and spin fishing tackle are effective at catching rainbow trout. You could also paddle the Nancy Lake Recreation Area.
• Several lakes fishing particularly well right now are Kepler/Bradley, Matanuska, Lucile, Loberg, South Rolly, Canoe, Slipper (Eska), Long Lake (mile 86 Glenn Hwy), and Knob Lakes.
• Reminder Pike have been eliminated completely out of Knik and Memory Lake and has been restocked with good sized rainbow trout. Good catches are already being reported from both lakes.
• Stay tuned to our stocking webpage for more information.

Sport Fishing Angler Access Sites

• Sheep Creek Slough: walk in angler access and camping are OPEN.
• Talkeetna boat launch was dredged last week. Launch is open and functioning.
• Susitna Landing (Kashwitna): Boat Launch and Campground are OPEN. Boat launch is currently dry from low water conditions.
  • Online reservation system for the campground is up and running
• 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 and Campground are OPEN.
  • Online reservation system for the campground is up and running
  • Payment via the iron ranger (Cash or Check) for Boat Launch & Day Use Parking
  • Season passes can only be purchased in person at the Palmer ADFG office.

Emergency Orders

Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip:

• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-12-26 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-2-11-26 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-2-6-26 Closes all waters of West Cook Inlet Management Area to sport fishing for king salmon.

Don't forget to purchase your 2026 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 2026 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.