Abundance, availability and flavor among reasons for popularity of coho salmon

Most years, coho, or silver salmon, are the salmon most harvested by Mat-Su Valley anglers, even when there are good opportunities to harvest king salmon earlier in the season. The shear abundance of coho salmon and distribution of the fish throughout numerous large and small Mat-Sun Valley fishing areas contributes to the popularity of coho salmon by Mat-Su anglers. Combine abundance and widespread availability with the coho salmon’s rich salmon flavor on the dinner table and it is easy to understand coho salmon’s place in Mat-Su Valley salmon fisheries.

As the summer transitions from July to August instream abundances of coho salmon continues to climb throughout Mat-Su Valley fisheries. In locations closer to saltwater the coming week will likely provide peak sport salmon harvests for the entire year. A maximum number of anglers will likely be also be out attempting to harvest their coho salmon. Here’s a look at what to expect for the next week of Mat-Su salmon fishing.

Fish Creek youth fishery, Aug. 4-5

While the Fish Creek personal use fishery located along Knik-Goose Bay Road closed late Tuesday evening, the first salmon sport fishing opportunity or the season (reserved for youth anglers 15 years old and younger) opens on Saturday and Sunday from the hours of 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. This is an opportunity for younger anglers to learn how to catch salmon and to participate without having to compete with adult anglers. Adults my asset the youth anglers, but are not allowed to fish themselves.

Note: If you have not fished at Fish Creek before, there is a small area open to salmon fishing close to Knik Goose Bay road. The area below the road is tidal influenced and can be quite muddy. Often the better fishing occurs soon after the fishery opens in the morning or within a couple hours before and after a high tide. The per-person limit is three salmon, two of which may be coho salmon. There will likely be good abundance of both sockeye salmon and coho salmon this weekend.

Cottonwood Creek and Wasilla Creek (Rabbit Slough) provide similar weekend only fisheries that will be open to all anglers this weekend.

Larson Creek sockeye salmon limit liberalized

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued an emergency order starting Aug. 1 that increased the daily sockeye salmon bag limit to six sockeye salmon per angler.

Note: this emergency order is for a limited fishing area within a quarter-mile of the confluence of Larson Creek and the Talkeetna River. This is a small limited fishing area located quite a ways up the Talkeetna River drainage.

Speaking of the Talkeetna River Drainage, Margo Nealis of Phantom Tri River Charters in Talkeetna (733-2400) mentioned they have started catching a few coho salmon along with the chum salmon, pink salmon, and sockeye salmon guests were catching last week.

Eklutna Tailrace

In a quest for more information about the Eklutna Tailrace fishery I participated in this fishery for about an hour and a half on Saturday morning July 21.

I saw one coho salmon in the water on a stringer near the cleaning table and several anglers fishing near the confluence of the tailrace and Knik River. There seemed to be little fish catching activity at the time, so I walked up to the footbridge where I saw a salmon roll. I started casting one of my Flashtrap Spinners and continued to fish my way along the tailrace from spot to spot where I saw salmon surfacing. There were quite a few salmon surfacing, and I cam to the conclusion that most of them must have been sockeye salmon. I did watch one gentleman catch two chrome bright coho salmon by casting and letting salmon roe sit on the bottom. I would conclude that the silver salmon abundance has likely increased substantially since that time along with silver salmon catch rates.

Early morning is prime time to fish the tailrace. Bait is allowed, along with multiple hooks, and the fishery is open 24 hours per day. In addition the tailrace fishery is the only place I know of in the Mat-Su Valley that can be accessed with a highway vehicle that has a coho salmon bag limit of three per person.

Susitna River tributaries between Willow and Talkeetna

Joe and Marilynn Rouswell report that anglers did quite well from Susitna Landing last weekend, catching silver salmon, chum salmon, and pink salmon.

Note: Susitna Landing provide both a location for anglers to fish and a boat launch for anglers to access other Susitna River drainage fishing opportunities. There are spacious campsites, along with an outhouse and shower available a this location. I would expect good fishing along this section of the Parks Highway this weekend. There will likely be more people fishing the southern most location at Willow Creek Recreation area and less anglers as one travels further north along the Highway. Check regulations before you go as specific regulations can vary by stream in this area. The bag limit is three salmon, two of which may be coho salmon.

Deshka River

Access to the Deshka River, lower Susitna River drainage, and Yentna River drainage is by boat or airplane. Deshka River Landing in Willow (495-3374) is the most used departure point. The bag limit for Deshka River and these other location is 3 salmon other than king salmon, all of which may be coho salmon.

Bait is allowed in most areas and fishing is open 24 hours per day. When I talked with Spencer Cook with I Fish Alaska Guide Service on Tuesday, he reported that Deshka River water temperatures were warm and it was difficult getting salmon to bite a this location, however with rain occurring on Wednesday and weather reports calling for additional rain, Deshka River may likely provide better fishing over the weekend. Spencer also mentioned that his guest had been having some good success (particularly in the mornings at harvesting silver salmon at other Susitna River locations.

Little Susitna River

The Little Su has been fishing well over the past week, however warmer temperatures and low water levels have slowed catching down during the afternoons. Rain should also help this fishery. Bait fishing is scheduled to open on Aug. 6. Bag Limit is three salmon, two of which may be coho salmon. When anglers harvest a limit of salmon from the Little Susitna River waters open to salmon fishing they are required to quit fishing those waters (for all species) for the remainder of the day. For this regulation 2 silver salmon is considered a limit of salmon.

Also a reminder that Little Susitna River regulations does not allow fishing from a boat equipped with a 2-stroke motor. I saw a group get cited for breaking this regulation in the past week. Since the coming week will likely be the busiest week of the season on Little Susitna River I expect to see an increased law enforcement coverage.

Mat-Su sport fisheries and the Northern District commercial fishery have greatly benefitted from less commercial fishing in the Conservation Corridor of Upper Cook Inlet during the 2018 season. This has at least partially occurred because of a lower abundance of Kenai River bound sockeye salmon. Under the current management regulations, this is something that does not occur on a regular basis, so I encourage Mat-Su anglers to get out and experience Valley salmon fishing opportunities this season.

Andy Couch is owner/guide of Fishtale River Guide. You may read his daily fishing reports at http://www.fish4salmon.com