Area Sport Fishing Reports
Tanana

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 26, 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 current State of Alaska Health Mandates in effect. This includes practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing and wearing a face covering when fishing and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.

Please see the 2020 Northern Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for a complete summary of the Tanana River Drainage sport fisheries regulations.

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-U-05-20 closes the Tanana River drainage to sport fishing for king salmon effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, June 27, 2020.
• Emergency Order 3-R-U-02-20 opens Polaris Lake to catch-and-release sport fishing and closes Kimberly Lake to sport fishing.

Sport Fishing

Due to low king salmon numbers in the Yukon River, the Tanana River drainage is closed to sport fishing for king salmon, effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, June 27, 2020. The Tanana drainage includes the mainstem Tanana River and all tributaries, including, but not limited to, the Chena, Salcha, Nenana, Chatanika, and Goodpaster rivers.

This weekend (June 27-28) will be the second of 4 weekends in a row of the Chena River Youth-Only Fishery for Arctic grayling. Any angler, 15 years old or younger, can retain 1 Arctic grayling per day of any size from the lower Chena River (downstream from a regulatory marker 300 ft downstream of the Chena River Flood Control Project). July 4-5, and July 11-12 will also be open to the Youth-Only Fishery.

Just as a reminder, Monday-Friday during this timeframe will be catch-and-release only to all anglers. Arctic grayling must not be retained outside of the Youth-Only Fishery dates by anglers of any age.

Watch the ADF&G video, How to Fish for Arctic Grayling, for helpful tips on technique and gear.

However, be aware that the water level in the Chena River is extremely high. Be cautious at the water’s edge. There are reports that the fast, turbid water has made fishing difficult.

Fishing for Arctic grayling in the Delta Clearwater River and within the Nenana River drainage remains decent.

Water levels in Minto Flats remain high, and there is limited to no dry land available for day use or camping. Reports indicate slow fishing for northern pike (1 to 2 fish/day).

Fishing on the lower Chatanika and Tolovana rivers was still decent, but that may change with rising water levels.

Due to the high water, the boating access to George Lake is good. Fishing for northern pike in George Lake has been productive.

All area lakes have been stocked. Fishing remains good in local lakes. Small spinners and spoons have been productive for rainbow trout. To get detailed information about stocked lakes in the area, consult the Alaska Lake Database.

Don’t forget to bring your 2020 sport fishing license! Help maximize social distancing by purchasing your 2020 sport fishing license through the ADF&G online store. You can print it off from the comfort of your own home. Also, make 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 additional information, please contact the ADF&G Fairbanks Office at (907) 459-7200.