Area Sport Fishing Reports
Upper Copper/Upper Susitna

Recent Emergency Orders & Press Releases for Upper Copper/Upper Susitna

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 29, 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 dip net fishery is currently open through 11:59 p.m Sunday, August 1.

The Chitina Subdistrict will open for 96 hours during the week of August 2:

  • Open: 12:01 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. Monday, August 2
  • Closed: 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, August 3 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, August 5
  • Open: 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 6 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, August 8

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.

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

As we enter into August, the sockeye salmon run to the Klutina River will be dropping off quickly. 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.

In contrast, though, 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 usually remains clear and low from here on out making for a great floating and fishing experience.

As of June 26, all king salmon sport fisheries in the Upper Copper River were closed and the flowing waters of the Gulkana, Klutina, and Tonsina Rivers are restricted to unbaited, artificial lures.

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-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-RS-I-08-21 opens the Chitina Subdistrict personal use dip net fishery for the 168-hr period starting 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 26. The EO also prohibits the retention of king salmon in the Chitina Subdistrict personal use salmon dipnet fishery.
  • 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.

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.

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!

For more information

Call the Glennallen office at (907) 822-3309 with any questions.

Archives

Upper Copper Upper Susitna Area Archives for:
Sep 02, 2021 Aug 26, 2021 Aug 19, 2021 Aug 12, 2021 Aug 03, 2021 Jul 29, 2021 Jul 22, 2021 Jul 15, 2021
Jul 08, 2021 Jul 01, 2021 Jun 24, 2021 Jun 17, 2021 Jun 10, 2021 Jun 03, 2021 May 25, 2021 May 14, 2021

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