Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

June 26, 2024

Freshwater Fishing

• The Eklutna Tailrace has been slow but still providing some early morning and late evening catches.
• With poor king salmon production and high waters, anglers may have to practice patience until the sockeye, chum, and pinks return. It is early, but anglers could try Cottonwood Creek for sockeye. This is a weekend only fishery open Saturdays and Sundays from 5:00am-10:00pm. You can fish from the mouth upstream 1 mile.
• Fish Creek off Knik Goose Bay is open seven days a week until July 14 from 5:00am-10:00pm. The weir will be installed next week and typically the first sockeye is counted around July 8, but, maybe you will be the first to catch one.
• Little Susitna waters remain high and muddy and fishing has been poor and water clarity is poor.
• Northern Pike:
  • For road-accessible pike fishing, try the Nancy Lake Recreation Area lakes, Big Lake, Long Lake near Willow, Memory, and Prator Lakes.
  • Boat-accessible pike fishing can be found in the side sloughs of the Deshka River, Alexander Creek, Fish Creek (Kroto Slough), and Hewitt Lake.
  • For fly-in pike fishing try Alexander Lake, Shell Lake, Eightmile Lake, Trapper Lake, Flathorn Lake, and Sucker Lake.
  • Pike fishing can be excellent in June. Try top water lures, weedless spoons and leeches.
• Rainbow Trout
  • Deception Creek is a good place to target rainbow trout with consistent catch rates.
  • Lake fishing has been excellent and when river waters are high you can always count on good fishing in local lakes.
  • Clear Creek off the Talkeetna River would be a good trip this week. Rainbows will be chasing kings upriver.
  • Lake Creek and Talachulitna fishing has been good for rainbows and grayling.
  • If you want to travel further north, stop at the tributaries of Chulitna, Honolulu Creek, or Byers Creek.

Local Lakes

• This is a really nice time of the year to head up the Parks Highway and fish. Try Long Lake (mile 86), Ravine, Weiner, Bonnie and Knob Lakes.
• If you are looking for big rainbows try fishing: Loon, Lucile, Finger, Matanuska, Seymour, and Anderson Lakes. Find the deep spots, the rainbows will avoid hot water when it gets this warm and are easier to target. See the Alaska Lake Database for lake maps.
• For some diversity, give Matanuska or Long Lake (mile 86) a shot for lake trout fishing.
• If you are up for a 4-wheel adventure, try fishing Wishbone (single-hook C&R lake), Ruby, or Goober Lakes.

Emergency Orders

Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-05-24 Closes the Susitna River drainage to sport fishing for king salmon. In addition, sport fishing gear is limited to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure with a gap between the point and shank of the hook that is one-half inch or less in the Susitna River drainage (Units 1-6).
• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-06-24 Closes the Little Susitna to sport fishing for king salmon and limits gear to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure with a gap of one-half inch or less when fishing for other species.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-11-24 Closes all waters of West Cook Inlet Management Area to sport fishing for king salmon.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-19-24 extends the area open to sport fishing at the Eklutna Tailrace downstream to the upstream edge of the Alaska Railroad bridge.

Don't forget to purchase your 2024 sport fishing license and king stamp! You can purchase and display your fishing license and king stamp, record your annual harvest (i.e. king salmon), access sport fishing regulations and locations, and so much more on your mobile device. Download the ADF&G Mobile App today. You can also purchase licenses through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home. Make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2024 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.

For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Palmer Area Office at 907-746-6300.