Area Sport Fishing Reports
Mat-Su

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 20, 2024

Freshwater Fishing

• The Eklutna Tailrace has been producing consistent catches of king salmon. Try fishing early morning. Bait and multiple hooks are allowed in this fishery and it’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Due to snowpack melt with the hot weather, the Little Susitna is running high, and fishing has been poor. Water clarity is very poor.
• Northern Pike:
  • For road-accessible pike fishing, try the Nancy Lake Recreation Area lakes, Big Lake, Long Lake near Willow, Memory, and Prator Lake.
  • 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.
• Rainbow Trout
  • This is a good time of year to float the Parks-Highway streams. Willow Creek has multiple access points off Willow Fishhook Road. You can camp on the Kashwitna River at Susitna Landing (MP 82.4). Montana Creek can be accessed at several locations off the Talkeena Spur Road, with camping options. There is construction at the bridge on Montana Creek, pay attention to access signs.
  • The Palmer-Wasilla Zone flowing waters and Deception Creek are now open to fishing for rainbow trout.

Local Lakes

• Lake fishing has been excellent, and you can drive in any direction and find a recently stocked lake in your area.
• Several lakes fishing particularly well right now are Kepler/Bradley, Matanuska, Lucile, Loberg, South Rolly, Canoe, Slipper (Eska), Long Lake (mile 86 Glenn Hwy), and Knob 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.