Area Sport Fishing Reports
Upper Copper/Upper Susitna
Archived Sport Fishing Report
July 23, 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-08-20 details the Copper River Personal Use Dip Net Salmon Fishing Schedule for the week of July 20 - 26.
- Emergency Order 3-RS-I-09-20 details the Copper River Personal Use Dip Net Salmon Fishing Schedule for the week of July 27 – August 2.
Personal Use
Copper River Chitina Subdistrict personal use dip net fishery is currently open through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 26th. The fishery will be closed the entire week of July 27–August 2. RETENTION OF KING SALMON REMAINS CLOSED.
The sonar is still tracking nearly 64,000 fish short of the cumulative objective. The Chitina Subdistrict personal use dip net fishery may need to be closed for the remainder of August to conserve sockeye salmon for escapement.
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 are open on the Klutina and Tonsina rivers and the Copper River drainage below the upstream bank of the Klutina River (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 is in effect for the remainder of the season.
The Gulkana River is closed for King salmon, and anglers are once again limited to no bait, single hook artificial lures.
The Klutina River, below 19-mile of the Klutina Lake Road, and the Tonsina River, below the Alyeska pipeline bridge, and all waters of the Copper River drainage downstream of the upstream bank of the Klutina River, including the Chitina River drainage, are currently opened for king salmon. Fishing is ok on the Klutina River and good to excellent on the Tonsina 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 pretty much over. In the Gulkana River, sockeye salmon counts are tracking to be the lowest ever. However, keep the Gulkana River in mind for late sockeye action during late August and early September.
Resident freshwater species: All stocked lakes have been stocked for the summer with Arctic grayling, rainbow trout and coho salmon. For bigger, wild Arctic grayling, look for those colder running streams in the area.
Look to the area’s larger lakes like Lake Louise, Susitna, Tyone, and Crosswind as well as Paxson and Summit lakes on the Richardson highway. Some good fly-in lake trout fishing can be found on Copper and Tanada lakes and Tonsina Lake.
You can head up the Klutina Lake Road to the mouth of Klutina Lake for some great Dolly Varden fishing. This is best if you have a motorized canoe, inflatable, or small skiff you can haul up. This isn’t a trek for the faint of heart though, and expect to take 3 -4 hours getting up to the lake from the Richardson Highway. But the fishing can be that good.
The Department of Natural Resources has closed the State recreational area at Lake Louise due to misuse. This is 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. Also, 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.
For more information, call the ADF&G Glennallen office at (907) 822-3309.