Area Sport Fishing Reports
Upper Copper/Upper Susitna

July 2, 2026

Local Conditions

• All area lakes are now ice-free.
• The Gulkana River flow is above average with high turbidity, flows are continuing to increase in the Klutina River with near average water levels for this time of year.
• The Copper River flow gauge in Chitina, on the NOAA website, has been offline since June 15. The Copper River flow has increased recently but is near average.

Chitina Subdistrict Personal Use Salmon Dip Net Fishery

• Copper River sockeye salmon numbers are tracking behind what is expected for this point of the run.
• If Miles Lake sonar passage continues to fall below daily objectives, additional reductions in weekly fishing time in the personal use fishery should be expected. Potentially even complete closures will be necessary to achieve the sockeye salmon spawning escapement goal.
• The king salmon run to the Copper River this season is also weak. An Emergency Order has been released prohibiting king salmon retention in the personal use fishery for the remainder of the season.

The Chitina Subdistrict Personal Use dip net salmon fishery will open and close as follows:

• OPEN: 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 3 – 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 5
• CLOSED: 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 6 – 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 12
• King Salmon retention is prohibited in this fishery for the remainder of the season.
• Chitina Subdistrict Personal Use permits and State of Alaska Sport Fishing licenses are currently available online at the ADF&G Online Store website, at Fish and Game offices, and at vendors in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and other local communities. Glennallen Subdistrict subsistence permits are also available online and at the Fish and Game offices in Anchorage, Delta Junction, Fairbanks, and Palmer.
• Informational Hotline for Chitina Personal Use Fishery: (907) 822-5224

Glennallen Subdistrict Subsistence Salmon Fishery

• The Glennallen Subdistrict subsistence salmon fishery opened by regulation June 1st at 12:01 A.M. and remains open through September 30th. Currently, there are no Emergency Orders specific to the Glennallen Subdistrict Subsistence salmon fishery.

Sport Fishing

• All area lakes are ice-free and full of hungry fish. Several lakes in the area have been re-supplied with our finest rainbow trout and Arctic char. Lake trout should be well distributed, offering anglers a good chance of success from both boats and shore.
• For more information about Alaska stocked lakes, visit the Alaska Lakes Database.
• Both sockeye and king salmon runs to the Copper River are tracking weaker than expected this season.
• Anglers are targeting king salmon on the Gulkana River but current water conditions are poor for king fishing.
• EFFECTIVE JUNE 25TH, THE ANNUAL LIMIT FOR KING SALMON IN THE UPPER COPPER RIVER DRAINAGE HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM FOUR FISH TO ONE BY EMERGENCY ORDER. If you harvested one, two, or three king salmon before June 25, you may retain one additional king salmon after June 25. If you had already harvested four king salmon before June 25, you may not retain any additional king salmon.
• Remember, if you are fishing for king salmon this season, an Upper Copper River King Salmon Sport Fishery Permit is required, and the Klutina or Tonsina Rivers are open starting July 1.
• Sockeye salmon are open to fishing throughout the Upper Copper River drainage. Fishing in the Klutina River continues to be slow overall. Expect fishing to be spotty with short periods of good fishing intermixed with very little action.
• To get ready, be sure to watch the ADF&G video, How to Fish for Klutina River Red Salmon.
• It is a good time to target Arctic grayling in the Gulkana River and other small streams in the area. Check out the ADF&G video, How to Fish for Arctic Grayling, for helpful tips on tackle and technique.
• For a guide to where all the accessible fisheries are, check out Sport Fishing 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.

Emergency Orders

Emergency Order 3-RS-I-11-26 opens the Chitina Subdistrict personal use dip net salmon fishery for a 72-hour period from 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 3 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 5.

Emergency Order 3-RS-I-12-26 closes the Chitina Subdistrict personal use dip net salmon fishery from 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 6 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 12.

Emergency Order 3-KS-I-10-26 reduces the annual limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in the Upper Copper River drainage from 4 to 1 fish, effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, June 25 through.

Emergency Order 3-KS-I-13-26 restricts sport fishing for king salmon in all waters of the Upper Copper River to catch-and-release, effective 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 6 through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, August 10. Additionally, in all flowing waters of the Upper Copper River drainage, the use of bait is prohibited and only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures may be used.

ADF&G News

Please review the Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements listed above in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

Be sure to follow the ADF&G Sport Fishing Interior Alaska Facebook page or ADF&G Sport Fishing Interior Alaska Instagram page for the most up-to-date information about fishing in Interior Alaska. Note: These are good pages to follow to keep track of all information about the Chitina Personal Use Salmon Fishery.

The Glennallen ADF&G office has fishing rods to loan out as part of the ADF&G Rod Loaner Program. All you need is a current sport fishing license (for resident anglers 18 and older and non-residents 16 or older) to borrow a rod. You’ll have to provide your own tackle but rods are free of charge.

Make sure to review the 2026 Northern Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.

For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Glennallen office at (907) 822-3309.