2017 Mat-Su and Upper Cook Inlet Fisheries summery and update

All concerned with Mat-Su and Upper Cook Inlet salmon fisheries and willing to participate in a dialogue with Alaska Department of Fish and Game staff are invited to attend a public meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 27, at Fire Station 61 on the Corner of Swanson Avenue and Lucille Street in Wasilla.

The agenda includes introductions, an opportunity for the department to summarize results of the Upper Cook Inlet commercial and Northern Cook Inlet sports fisheries, followed by an opportunity for Department staff to respond to a dozen questions that Mat-Su Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission members submitted last week. Opportunities for comments by both commission members and the public are scheduled near the end of the meeting.

Invitations have been extended to all Mat-Su legislators and Assembly members.

Late July, first week of August commercial harvests and much later than normal abundance of in-river coho may have turned fishery management objectives upside down during the 2017 season

Of particular concern to many Mat-Su Valley sport anglers was the limited and late opportunity for sport harvest of silver (coho) salmon this season, while at the same time the largest commercial drift coho harvests occurred earlier in the season during the last day of July and first week of August. These large early drift harvests of coho salmon likely further retarded migration of coho into Mat-Su streams. Therefore while Department data indicates that the commercial drift gill net harvest of 186,00 coho was 63% greater than the recent 10-year average and the largest drift harvest of coho salmon since 2004, there is considerable doubt as to whether the Northern Cook Inlet sport fishery even achieved an average annual coho salmon harvest level in 2017. Even though all 4 Northern Cook Inlet coho salmon spawning escapement goals were achieved or exceeded in 2017, the lack of reasonable inriver sport fish harvest opportunity throughout the early half of the season is a need that should be addressed. Since more sport angling for Mat-Su coho generally occurs in July and early August, lack of sufficient numbers of coho salmon in the fishery at that time can negatively affect a larger percentage of the economic and recreational benefits derived from the fishery.

Come and learn what can be done about the situation.

Mat-Su ice fishing

Earlier this week I discussed Mat-Su Valley ice fishing with Jason Perrego of Alaska Lakes Guide Service (254) 291-1516. Jason reported that he had guided ice fishing trips to three different lakes in the previous. Ice condition was good at all three locations, however, Jason was only recommending walking on ice at this time and avoiding driving snowmobiles, 4-wheelers or vehicles until the ice gets thicker.

While ice many be solid at most locations it is advisable to avoid areas where ice is often thinner such as inlet /outlet areas on lakes or ice on flowing waters (rivers and streams). Jason reported his guests making some decent catches of rainbow trout and landlocked salmon. He usually uses a tent for shelter, and I can attest from personal experience that trips with temperatures below about 20 degrees and a stout wind can be downright cold without a shelter.

As long as the air is relatively calm I prefer to drill several holes and move from spot to spot in search of a good concentration of fish, something that is usually easier accomplished without a shelter. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game lists Mat-Su Valley lakes on their website that have recently been stocked and also provides the size of fish that were released in each lake. Whether looking for large numbers of catchable fish or searching for location with larger fish, this stocking data may help you fish what you are looking for sooner rather than later.

Hope you had a good Thanksgiving holiday and fish on!

Andy Couch is a Mat-Su Valley fishing guide and also a member of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission.