Area Sport Fishing Reports
Tanana

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 17, 2023

Sport Fishing

• The Tanana River water level has begun to fall after being near bank the previous couple weeks. Weather is expected to be cool and damp.

Salmon

• The salmon runs returning to the Chena and Salcha rivers are nearing the end, as a reminder salmon fishing in the Tanana River drainage is currently closed. If you are fishing for other species and you hook a salmon, please remember to not remove a king salmon from the water while releasing.
• The Chena River counting tower ceased operations on August 12. The preliminary estimate for king salmon counts on the Chena River this season was 1,070 king salmon and 833 chum salmon. The biological escapement goal for the Chena River is 3,300-5,700 kings.
• The Salcha River counting tower ceased operations on August 4 after three consecutive days without a king salmon being observed. Through August 4, a total of 1,242 king salmon and 676 chum salmon were estimated to have passed the tower. The biological escapement goal in the Salcha River is 3,300-6,500 kings.

Arctic grayling

• Arctic grayling are actively foraging for aquatic insects before the end of summer. Small spinners and any number of dry flies usually produce good results attracting the interest of grayling.
• Learn other grayling fishing techniques by watching the video, How to Fish for Arctic Grayling, on the ADF&G Youtube channel.

Burbot

• Bait is currently not allowed in any tributaries of the Tanana River due to the closure of the king and chum salmon fisheries this summer but bait may be used in the mainstem Tanana River. Burbot fishing downstream from the mouths of tributaries in the Tanana remains good this time of year, although will slow down as temperature and water levels rise. Try fishing bait on the bottom of the river in back eddy areas, at along seams of the Tanana River and tributary mouths, and slow-moving waters in the mainstem of the Tanana River.

Lake trout

• Lake Trout are likely to be found in the deeper water due to the warm lake temperatures, although they may begin to venture into more shallow water after cool nights. Look to find lake trout deeper than 30ft and off shelves and near structure. Bathymetric maps can help you find the deeper water and structure. Maps can be found at the Alaska Lake Database.

Northern pike

• Northern pike fishing in waters that are open to fishing can be productive at this time of year. Try various-sized, flashy spoons off weed beds, top water lures like frogs, mice, ducklings, and swim shads and soft baits near shoreline drop offs and structures (logs, downed trees, rocky points) to attract their attention.
• Northern pike fishing in the Tolovana River drainage, including Minto Flats, Minto Lakes and the Chatanika River, opened June 1. By Emergency Order, the bag and possession limit for northern pike in those waters has been reduced from 5 fish a day to 2 fish a day, only one of which may be 30 inches or longer.

Stocked lakes

• Stocked lakes provide great fishing opportunities for rainbow trout as well as arctic char, salmon, and lake trout. Rainbow trout tend to cruise near weed beds this time of year foraging on the multitude of insects congregating around lilly pads, while Arctic char, lake trout, and landlocked salmon tend to seek the deeper, cooler water. Check out the Alaska Lake Database to find bathymetric maps on the stocked lake you are going to fish. Fishing with dry or wet flies such as an egg sucking leech, bead head nymph, or mosquito pattern; small spoons and spinners size #0 or #2; or small bait under a bobber generally produce good results. To find a stocked lake near you or one you’ve never fished before, check out the Tanana River Drainage Stocked Lakes Fishing Guide to find access and stocking information for different lakes.

Emergency Orders

Please review the Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements below in their entirety, and consult the 2023 Northern Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet for the area you are fishing in before you head out:

• Emergency orders 3-KS-U-6-23 and 3-CS-U-7-23 issued March 29^th closed the sport fishery for king and chum salmon in all flowing waters of the Tanana River drainage effective April 5th. In addition, the use of bait is prohibited in all Tanana River tributaries through September 30.
• Emergency order 3-R-U-08-23 issued April 24 restricts Kimberly Lake to catch-and-release fishing only for all fish species due to PFAS contamination. Any fish caught while sport fishing in Kimberly Lake must be released immediately.
• Emergency order 3-NP-U-10-23 issued May 1 reduces the bag and possession limit for northern pike in all lakes and flowing waters of the Minto Flats area to two fish, only one of which may be 30 inches or longer, effective from June 1 – October 14.

ADF&G News

• ADF&G is mobile. You can purchase and display your fishing license and king stamp, record your annual harvest (i.e. king salmon, halibut), access sport fishing regulations and locations, and so much more on your mobile device. Download the ADF&G Mobile App today.
• The Fairbanks and Delta ADF&G offices offer a free fishing rod loaner program. Each office has rods suitable for fishing stocked lakes and resident species such as Arctic grayling, northern pike and salmon. Resident anglers, 18 and older, and non-resident anglers, 16 and older, must have a current Alaska sport fishing license to sign out a rod. This is a first-come, first-served program and fishing rods cannot be reserved. For more information, check out the Rod Loaner Program webpage or call the Fairbanks ADF&G office at 907-459-7228 or the Delta Junction office 907-895-4632.
• Be sure to follow the ADF&G Sport Fishing Interior Alaska Facebook and Instagram pages to get the most current information about fishing in the area.
• The Tanana Valley Fisheries Center in the Ruth Burnett Sport Fish Hatchery at 1150 Wilbur Street in Fairbanks is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free so stop in to say hi and see what’s growing in the hatchery.

For More Information

Call the Fairbanks office at (907) 459-7228 or the Delta Junction office at (907) 895-4632.