Area Sport Fishing Reports
Upper Copper/Upper Susitna
September 4, 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-RS-I-01-20 closed the Copper River drainage sockeye salmon sport fishery for remainder of the season.
Personal Use
The Copper River Chitina Subdistrict personal use dip net fishery opened by regulation on September 1. During September, most sockeye salmon runs have concluded, and sockeye salmon are few in numbers in the fishery. Copper River coho salmon runs peak in September, but these runs are generally small, totaling between 20,000 and 50,000 fish. Historically, the best fishing for coho is during the 2nd and 3rd weeks of September.
Copper River water levels are low, and the weather is generally colder with frequent rain. Also, nearly all support services have closed down by now, so be extra cautious out there as help can be a long time coming.
Informational Hotlines For Chitina Personal Use Fishery
- Anchorage: 907-267-2511
- Fairbanks: 907-459-7382
- Glennallen: 907-822-5224
Sport Fishing
Salmon
All salmon fisheries in the Upper Copper-Upper Susitna Management Area are closed.
Resident freshwater species
Artic grayling are migrating to their winter holding areas in many of the rivers and lakes. There should be good fishing for this species throughout the month. Dolly Varden in the upper Klutina River are an especially fun adventure. They are numerous, accessible and good-sized.
Lake trout are dispersed throughout the water column in many of our larger lakes, providing opportunity from shore.
Burbot feed more aggressively as we get closer to ice up and can be found in shallower waters. Look to the area’s larger lakes like Lake Louise, Susitna, Tyone, and Crosswind, as well as Paxson and Summit lakes on the Richardson highway.
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 the ADF&G Glennallen office at (907) 822-3309.
