Cool and wet weather helps Mat-Su fisheries

The overall cooler summer we have been experiencing in 2021 has kept fish more active and anglers are benefitting from better catches. Stocked lakes with fishing for rainbow trout, landlocked salmon, arctic char and arctic grayling have continued with good angler catches at a time when summer heat can make fish more lethargic or move them out into deeper and cooler water. Although winding down at the point, the Deshka River king salmon fishery had benefitted greatly this year from cooler temperatures. Even so, water temperatures on hot sunny days did stress on king salmon and slow the afternoon catch rates in particular. I expect the shot of rain we are experiencing this week will boost catches at the Deshka through the remaining few days of the king salmon season. A good shot of rain should also encourage sockeye, pink, chum, and coho salmon migrations to start moving into Mat-Su streams.

King Salmon Fisheries

Little Susitna River king salmon harvest (down stream of the fish counting weir) was opened by emergency order with multiple hooks allowed in this same area starting Saturday July 3 through Tuesday July 13. The portion of Little Susitna River upstream from the weir to the Parks Highway bridge remains open to catch and release king salmon fishing with artificial lures only through July 13. I heard reports of a few king salmon being harvested at Little Susitna River last Saturday, but that effort and harvests have slowed since then. Most of the king salmon had likely already migrated upstream of the weir. Conservative management by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has ensured that the king salmon spawning escapement goal range was achieved past the weir with a season total of 2,435 king salmon counted through Saturday July 3. I expect this week’s rain should spur a last remaining surge of king salmon migration through the weir before this weekend. At the same time I would expect the season’s first chum, pink, and possible coho salmon to be counted through the weir before this weekend.

Eklutna Tailrace

Although it is getting later in the season, some bright chrome king salmon continue to be caught from this fishery — along with some darker more mature king salmon. King salmon have also been caught in the Knik River side channel below the tailrace this past week. This remains the only king salmon fishery open 24 hours per day. Bait and multiple hooks are allowed, and anglers can easily drive within casting distance of the water when parking to fish at the tailrace. A few early sockeye salmon have also been taken and will continue to be caught here. Since this is a fishery for hatchery king salmon —- it is the only Mat-Su king salmon fishery that will remain open and open to harvest after July 13.

Deshka River

As mentioned earlier with warmer water temperatures king salmon migration and angler success have both slowed at Deshka River, however, rain this week should boost encourage the last surge of king salmon migration at this location and give angling success rates one final boost before the season ends on July 13. Deshka River is the only Susitna River drainage location that currently remains open to both bait fishing and king salmon harvest at this time. Through July 13 legal fishing hours are 6 am — 11 pm.

Upper Susitna River and Yentna River Drainages

One angler told me of decent numbers of king salmon being caught at a Unit 2 Susitna River tributary steam along the Parks Highway between Willow and Talkeetna on Sunday of this past week. Overall I’ve heard of only limited king salmon catches from this area this year. The big news for this area is that all king salmon fishing closed for the remainder of the season by regulation starting on Monday July 5. Anglers may still fish for other species, but are not allowed to target king salmon.

Talkeetna River

I have not heard a single report from the Talkeetna River king salmon fishery, but king salmon fishery will remain open through July 13 on a catch and release basis with single hook artificial lures only. King salmon success rates have usually declined by this time at Talkeetna, however, with king salmon migration timing occurring this year at many Mat-Su locations the Talkeetna River drainage may have some of the best king salmon catch rates for the remaining few days of the king salmon season. There are often a few early sockeye salmon available for harvest at this time as well.

Lake Creek and Talachulitna River

Throughout the king salmon season I’ve heard a few good fishing reports from Lake Creek and the Yentna River drainage. The catch and release / single hook artificial lure king salmon fishery will remain open in this area through July 13. Talachulitna River in particular often has strong king salmon numbers and good catch rates during early July.

Personal Use Dip Netting Opportunities: Lower Susitna River

The lower Susitna River personal use dip net fishery opens on Saturday July 10. The legal fishing area will be marked by ADF&G signage and is located downstream of the Yentna River confluence and slightly downstream of Susitna Station. The fishery is open on Saturdays and Wednesdays only from July 10 — 31. Last year harvest rates were low during the first 2 periods, but a few pink salmon, sockeye salmon, chum salmon, and coho salmon — in that order of abundance will likely be caught on Saturday. Any king salmon caught must be released.

Fish Creek

This fishery located off of Knik-Goose Bay Road will only open by emergency order when ADF&G can project adequate escapement of sockeye salmon within the Fish Creek sockeye salmon escapement goal range. Salmon escapement counts for Fish Creek and other locations are posted on the ADF&G website: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/FishCounts/ This fishery will not open before July 15 and close by regulation on July 31. For the weekend of July 10 and 11 the area near Knik Goose Bay Road will be open to sport fishing from 5 am — 11pm and some sockeye salmon should be present in harvestable numbers.

Kasilof River — Sockeye Salmon Harvest Opportunities

Because of high sockeye salmon escapement numbers ADF&G has liberalized the area open to dip netting on the Kasilof River through August 7. The sport limit for sockeye salmon has also been liberalized to 6 per person. I’ve heard some very good reports from this fishery. Kasilof River should provide the best personal use success rates in Upper Cook Inlet area this weekend and into next week. If you have not participated in this fishery please check regulations and you may want to read the announcement on the ADF&G website: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/EONR/index.cfm?ADFG=region.NR&Year=2021&NRID=3178 ADF&G has been allowing the commercial fishery extra harvest time close to the Kenai beaches in a manner that allows salmon headed to other drainages opportunity to pass through the center of Cook Inlet unmolested. Even with this extra commercial fishing time, solid numbers of sockeye salmon continue to stream into the Kasilof and provide great personal use and sport harvest opportunities.

Kenai River Sockeye Salmon

This personal use fishery opens on Saturday July 10 — however personal use catch rates at Kenai River usually slow and pickup after mid-July.

Coming Soon — Susitna River Bait and 24 hour per day Sport Fishing

Many Mat-Su anglers are looking forward to July 14 — the day most Susitna River locations open to bait fishing. Also occurring on July 14 fishing will be allowed 24 hours per day as the regulation transition occurs from king salmon regulations to regulations for other fish species. The first two pink salmon passed Deshka River weir on July 3 ( 5 days earlier than in 2020) so pink salmon, chum salmon and likely a few coho salmon could be available at many Unit 1, 2, and 4 Susitna River drainage locations by July 14.

Andy Couch is a 35-year Mat-Su Valley salmon fishing guide. You may read his daily fishing reports on his Fishtale River Guides website at https://www.fish4salmon.com/alaska-fishing-reports/