19-pound rainbow trout in the Mat-Su Valley

Hooked by the headline?

On Sunday June 2, 2024, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) stocked the 19th Mat-Su Valley lake with rainbow trout in less than a month’s time. Thirteen of those lakes were stocked with what ADF&G classifies as “catchable” trout of about 10 inches in length. These trout can provide quick action for kids and other anglers interested in “catching” compared to “fishing” or searching for more-elusive larger fish. Often newly stocked fish may spend up to a few days near the stocking location, before dispersing more widely throughout a lake. Stocking locations are often located at the best public access areas on specific lakes combining easier access for the angling public with larger concentrations of catchable trout. This is a combination that my father, Robert Couch, fully utilized to inspire life-long interests in fishing and outdoor activities amongst my brothers and I. As mentioned previously, my father took us fishing at such young ages that I can not recall the first time we went fishing. I do have vivid memories of numerous highlight trips at a plethora of fishing locations. Dad also took pictures of our trips, which fueled conversations and planning for future fishing trips. The Mat-Su Valley’s many stocked lakes are tremendous public resources and memory makers that I encourage anglers to use and enjoy more frequently.

In addition to catchable rainbow trout, 8 Mat-Su lake locations have also been stocked with catchable-sized arctic char, and several locations have been stocked with smaller fish that overtime will grow to catchable sizes providing benefits for future fishing trips. As mentioned in previous columns stocking searches may be made from a specific page on the ADF&G website. Before this column is published I expect additional Mat-Su fish stockings may occur, with updates added to the ADF&G stocking database.

Northern Pike

Palmer ADF&G fisheries biologist, Daryl Lescanec, mentioned on Monday that he expected pike fishing to pick up at Mat-Su Valley locations as pike transition out of their spawning season. A staff member at 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle provided similar advice, telling me that pike fishing had been good, slowed down for a while, and was picking up now. Fishing guide, Corey Berg, told me he and a friend hiked to a new lake (for them), in the Nancy Lake system, this past week, and each caught a pike on their first cast. Their extra work in accessing this particular lake rewarded them with plenty of action while casting from the bank from one side of the lake. I have been out looking for Susitna River drainage pike 3 times, without much luck, but after these reports, I plan to be fishing for pike, again, on Saturday June 8 —if not earlier.

Talkeetna River - Dolly Varden, Rainbow Trout, Arctic Grayling

Aaron with Phantom-Tri River Charters in Talkeetna said their charters had been catching fish recently on the Talkeetna River, and suggested fishing flesh flies or beads the color of mottled old fish eggs. Aaron and a couple additional sources mentioned that launching / loading / getting a boat from the launch to the main river channel at the Talkeetna Boat Launch has been challenging this spring. Don’t expect a trouble free launch at this location at this time. A trip this coming week with a Talkeetna fishing charter could provide both good catching along with hassle-free fishing.

Parks Highway Streams

Word is that some of the streams are still a bit colored with snowmelt runoff, and there are trout and grayling to be caught. Some of the fish have migrated upstream away from the Susitna River confluence areas, and may now be more available from float trips or by hiking along upriver sections. These fish move around, so it may take some searching to find and catch them, but fishing pressure is usually light this time of year, providing an enjoyable quiet day on the water. Single-hook lures or flies with a gap between hook shank and point of not greater than 1/2 inch are required in areas normally open to king salmon. Remember in addition, that king salmon fishing (including catch and release targeting) is closed throughout the entire Susitna river drainage and Little Susitna River drainage by ADF&G emergency order.

Knik River/Eklutna Tailrace King Salmon

A.J. with 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle in Wasilla told me he had heard some stories about Knik River king salmon being taken, although he had not seen any pictures— as of Monday June 3. Daryl Lescanec mentioned that around the 5th of June is when boat anglers start catching king salmon below the tailrace. With several king salmon being caught at Ship Creek in Anchorage during the past week, I expect king salmon will likely be caught on a daily basis from the lower Kink River above the Alaska Railroad bridge in the coming week, as long as water conditions remain good. This is the only location where ocean-run king salmon may be legally targeted and harvested in the Mat-Su Valley. Fishing is open 7-days per week, and 24 hours per day. Bait and Multiple hooks are legal. Remember to bring a fishing license / recorder card / ink pen to record your catch immediately upon harvesting. I’m told there is a new way to record king salmon harvest using an ADF&G App, however, I would suggest still bringing a hard copy license / recorder card / pen as backup. Note: water levels can change significantly in the Knik River side-channel below Eklutna Tailrace and fishing success for king salmon, upstream near and in the tailrace, is usually dependent on a significant volume of water flowing between the tailrace and the lower main stem Knik River. Planning Note: The 2024 Youth Only King Salmon Fishery is scheduled to occur from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday June 15 in Eklutna Tailrace waters from the tailrace / Knik River confluence upstream to the pedestrian bridge — fishing in this area will only be open for anglers 15 years of age or younger during this time period. During the Youth Only Fishery hours, all Eklutna Tailrace waters upstream of the pedestrian bridge and waters downstream from the tailrace/Knik River confluence to the Alaska Railroad bridge will remain open to king salmon anglers of all ages.

Chitina Personal Use Dip Netting — Delayed

While Copper River personal use dip netting can open as early as June 7, ADF&G announced, last week, that this year’s opening would be delayed, because of low salmon counts at the Miles Lake sonar site, downriver. At the time this column was written, there was no definitive opening day announced, however, I expect an update should be available on the Glennallen ADF&G dip net hotline (907-822-5224) before the June 8 / 9 weekend. ADF&G Biologist, Mark Somerville, told me that the fishery, by regulation, opens sometime between June 7 - 15. Last year the opening was delayed until June 15. Miles Lake sonar counts through Sunday June 2 are very close to what they were in 2023 on the same date: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/FishCounts/

Good Luck and Fish On!