Area Sport Fishing Reports
Upper Copper/Upper Susitna

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 12, 2019

Personal Use

Copper River Chitina Subdistrict is currently open and will remain open through the end of the season on Monday September 30. Parking remains extremely limited at O’Brien Creek and there is no boat launching there. The Copper River water levels have subsided and are generally dropping as we enter Fall. Dip net reports indicate fishing is good in the canyon and there is good access immediately below the Bridge.

ADF&G encourages and advises all dipnetters to exercise caution and safety when accessing the Copper River and to wear life jackets whether fishing from a boat or shore.

Sport Fishing

Lake trout fishing continues to be productive in area lakes.

King salmon fishing remains open through 11:59 P.M. Saturday August 10, in the lower part of the Klutina and Tonsina Rivers and the Copper River drainage downstream of the Klutina River and above Haley Creek. Harvest rates continue to increase on the Klutina and Tonsina Rivers for both king and sockeye salmon.

The bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon is 6 fish per day. A lot of sockeye are moving up the Gulkana River and providing a great source for fresh reds in latter part of the season. Sockeye salmon are also still being caught in the Klutina River

As most waterways cool, fishing for Dolly varden and Arctic Grayling has been picking up. Try the Denali Highway and streams along the Richardson and Glenn Highways.

Check our roadside guide for fishing in the Upper Copper Upper Susitna Management Area. It lists nearly every sport fishery in the area, species present and milepost location.

Stocked Lakes

All roadside stocked waters have fresh fish in them ready to be caught. We stock rainbow trout, Arctic grayling and Arctic char in area lakes. Several lakes are a short walk (under a mile) from the road and these are underutilized by the public. What that means is those fish are hungry and ready to be caught. Bring a pack raft or small canoe to really enjoy these off-the-road lakes.