Area Sport Fishing Reports
Upper Copper/Upper Susitna
Archived Sport Fishing Report
July 16, 2020
* Just a reminder to all of our anglers - please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing the State of Alaska Health Mandates currently in effect. As indicated in Health Alert 010, please wear a face covering and practice social distancing while sport and personal use fishing, and while shopping for fishing supplies from your local store.
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-KS-I-03-20 reduced the annual limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length from four to one fish. Any king salmon harvested from the Upper Copper River drainage prior to June 20 does not count toward the one fish annual limit.
- Emergency Order 3-RS-I-07-20 details the Copper River Personal Use Dip Net Salmon Fishing Schedule for the week of July 13 – 19.
- Emergency Order 3-RS-I-08-20 details the Copper River Personal Use Dip Net Salmon Fishing Schedule for the week of July 20 - 26.
Personal Use
Copper River Chitina Subdistrict personal use dip net fishery is currently open through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 19th. The fishery will reopen for 72 hours at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 24 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday July 26. RETENTION OF KING SALMON REMAINS CLOSED.
The sonar is still tracking nearly 55,000 fish short of the cumulative objective, and management of the Chitina Subdistrict personal use dip net fishery will continue to be conservative.
Informational Hotlines For Chitina Personal Use Fishery
- Anchorage: 907-267-2511
- Fairbanks: 907-459-7382
- Glennallen: 907-822-5224
Sport Fishing
King salmon: King salmon fisheries in the entire Copper River drainage are currently open through Sunday July 19 (see the ADF&G Northern Alaska Sport Fishing Regulation Summary Upper Copper and Upper Susitna Drainage for special regulations closing specific waters to the taking of King salmon) . THE ANNUAL LIMIT FOR KING SALMON IN THE COPPER RIVER DRAINAGE HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM 4 FISH TO 1 (Refer to Advisory Announcement for 6/17/2020). This change will stay in effect for the remainder of the season.
On the Gulkana River, anglers are currently targeting king salmon with good success throughout the entire river. The river is running fairly clean. Water temperature in the Gulkana River is above 16o C, and fish are on the move. King salmon are moving past the counting tower at a consistent pace. The Gulkana River closes for King salmon by regulation at 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 20.
The Klutina and Tonsina rivers, and all waters of the Copper River drainage downstream of the upstream bank of the Klutina River, including the Chitina River drainage, are currently open for king salmon. Fishing is ok, with kings being caught from 4-mile up on the Klutina River. King salmon fishing should continue to improve through the first week of August in the Klutina River and the last week of July in the Tonsina River. We have no angler reports from the Tonsina.
The Klutina River above mile 19 of the Klutina Lake Road, and the Tonsina River above the Alyeska Pipeline Bridge, will be closed by regulation to king salmon fishing after this Sunday, July 19. After July 19, anglers may still fish for king salmon in the Klutina River below mile 19 of the Klutina Lake Road, the Tonsina River below the Alyeska Pipeline Bridge, and in the Copper River Drainage downstream of the upstream bank of the Klutina River.
Sockeye salmon are open throughout the Copper River drainage. Fishing in the Klutina River continues to be very slow, and the run to that river is winding down. In the Gulkana River, sockeye salmon counts are tracking to be the lowest ever.
Resident freshwater species: All stocked lakes have been stocked for the summer with Arctic grayling, rainbow trout and coho salmon.
Waters remain cool, so lake trout should be well distributed, offering anglers a good chance of success from both boats and shore. Look to the Lake Louise complex of lakes, and Paxson and Summit lakes, for good roadside lake trout fishing. For the more adventurous, try flying into Crosswind Lake or Copper Lake up near Nabesna for some remote lake trout fishing.
The Department of Natural Resources has closed the State recreational area at Lake Louise due to misuse. This is a sad statement on the behavior of some Alaskans and has led to the loss of access to this fine fishery. The boat launch at the end of the Lake Louise Road is still open, but parking is limited. There are no dumpsters in this area, and toilet facilities are limited to the small camp area there. Please respect these valuable amenities. Regarding your trash - if you bring it with you, take it home with you.
We have had reports of great Arctic grayling fishing in Paxson Lake and as usual, the Gulkana River has more than enough grayling to keep even the most ravenous angler happy. Look for streams with colder water if you want to target an exceptional Arctic grayling in the area.
Don’t forget to bring your 2020 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 2020 Northern Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.