Area Sport Fishing Reports
Tanana

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-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. Check out the Alaska Lake Database to see exactly how many of each species of fish have been stocked into each lake.

Consistent showers in the Delta Junction area have caused the trails to be muddier than in recent years. Please exercise caution when traveling to the various stocked lakes and public use cabins in the Delta Junction area. Many stocked lakes, such as Quartz, Birch, Coal Mine Road, and stocked gravel pits in the Interior, have had reports of great catches on stocked species. Try fishing hooks baited with eggs, spinners, white jigs, and spoons to target the multiple stocked species in the lakes. This time of year, stocked salmon are inhabiting the deeper, cooler waters, while rainbow trout tend to be near the shallows around the weed beds and lily pads.

Fielding, Harding and Tangle lakes remain cold and at higher water levels. Fishing for lake trout has been 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!

Because continued rain is forecasted throughout much of next week, we’re likely to see our local rivers rise once again. However, the water level in the Delta Clearwater River will not be impacted by the rain, and the Arctic grayling fishing remains decent. Watch the How to Fish for Arctic Grayling video for helpful tips before you go out.

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 either the Fairbanks office at (907) 459-7200 or the Delta Junction office at (907) 895-4632.