Area Sport Fishing Reports
Upper Copper/Upper Susitna
August 3, 2021
* Just a reminder to all anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing as well as when shopping for fishing supplies from your local store, and by wearing a face covering when social distancing is not possible.
Personal Use
In the Copper River, the Chitina Subdistrict personal use fishery is currently closed through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, August 5.
The Chitina Subdistrict will open again at 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 6, and remain open for the remainder of the season through September 30.
The retention of king salmon is prohibited during both of these periods, and for the remainder of the season.
Informational Hotlines for Chitina Personal Use Fishery
- Anchorage: 907-267-2511
- Fairbanks: 907-459-7382
- Glennallen: 907-822-5224
Sport Fishing
Freshwater Fishing
Lake trout fishing remains good on Lake Louise, Susitna, and Tyone Lakes. No reports from Paxson Lake, but that lake always produces great fish. With the multiple sunny days expect the trout to be a little deeper than usual as the surface waters warm up.
The upper Gulkana River should continue to provide its usual great Arctic grayling opportunities as well as rainbow trout.
The upper Klutina River is a perfect place to try your hand at resident rainbow trout, Arctic grayling, and some of the fattest Dolly Varden you may ever see.
For a guide to where all the accessible fisheries are, check out Sportfishing Alaska rivers and lakes in the Upper Copper/Upper Susitna River Basin. This guide lists all the fisheries, species available, and mile markers along all the major highways crossing the Upper Copper and Upper Susitna Area.
Salmon
King salmon remain closed in all Upper Copper River sport fisheries. Also remember the bait restriction remains in place on the Klutina and Tonsina Rivers through August 10.
The sockeye salmon run to the Gulkana River should be building through mid-September with the late run wild stocks and late-running hatchery stocks. The river is currently running low and clear. Sight fishing sockeye salmon in those clear waters is a real experience.
Emergency Orders
Please review the Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip:
- Emergency Order 3-RS-I-10-21 opens the Chitina Subdistrict personal use dip net fishery for the remainder of the season starting 12:01 a.m. Monday, August 9.
- Emergency Order 3-RS-I-09-21 opens the Chitina Subdistrict personal use dip net fishery for a 96-hr period 12:01 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. Monday, August 2 and 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 6 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, August 8.
- Emergency Order 3-KS-I-06-21 closes all king salmon sport fisheries in the Upper Copper River drainage effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, June 26.
- Emergency Order 3-KS-I-01-21 closes the Glennallen Subdistrict subsistence salmon fishery to the retention of king salmon effective 12:01 a.m. Monday, June 28. This Emergency Order also requires that fish wheels be closely attended while operating.
For more information
Call the Glennallen office at (907) 822-3309 with any additional questions.
Interactive Fishing Location Maps
NEW! Check out the #wefishak page on the ADF&G website for the new gofishak interactive map to discover popular fishing locations and information on species run timing, fishing gear selections, and boat and angler access tips!
Don't forget to bring your 2021 sport fishing license. Help maximize social distancing by purchasing your sport fishing license at the ADF&G Online Store. You can print your license from the comfort of your home. Also, be sure to review Emergency Orders and the 2021 Northern Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet for the area you are fishing in before you head out.
