Area Sport Fishing Reports
Tanana

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. This includes practicing social distancing and wearing a face covering while sport and personal use fishing, as well as when you are shopping for fishing supplies from your local store, as indicated in Health Alert 010.

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 closed the Tanana River drainage to sport fishing for king salmon.

Sport Fishing

King salmon fisheries in the Tanana River drainage are currently closed. Fish counts from the Chena River counting tower remain very low, and based on those counts and the current projection of the overall escapement, it is unlikely that sport fishing will re-open in the Tanana River drainage any time soon.

Resident freshwater species: All stocked lakes have been stocked for the summer with Arctic grayling, rainbow trout, Arctic char and coho and king salmon. Flooding in the Delta Junction area has deteriorated some trails – specifically, the trail to Donna and Little Donna lakes has been described as impassable. Please use caution when traveling to ADF&G public use cabins in the Delta Junction area.

With the cold weather and rain that the Interior has had, the larger lakes remain cold, and fishing for lake trout and Arctic char should be good.

Minto Flats is still flooded, and there is very little onshore use available. However, effort and interest in Minto Flats has been increasing. For those willing to make the trip, try trolling large spoons or Rapalas in the deeper channels for larger pike. Remember to please crimp barbs and/or change out treble hooks with single hooks when catch-and-release fishing for northern pike - the fish and your hands will thank you!

Unfortunately, with rain forecasted throughout much of the next week, we’re likely to see our local rivers rise once again. This high water will impact river fishing for Arctic grayling and northern pike, but burbot fishing should remain decent.

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.