Deshka River king salmon opens to harvest

On Tuesday of this week the Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued an emergency order opening Deshka River to king salmon harvest from 6 am Wednesday July 8 through 11 p.m. on July 13. The open area as I understand the press release is from the Weir Sanctuary closure marker downstream to the confluence of the Deshka and Susitna Rivers, and then all waters within half-mile radius of the Deshka/Susitna River confluence. In addition to harvest of one king salmon per day, and up to two per year for the remaining six days of the season this area is also open to the use of bait and multiple hooks. A.J. at 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle in Wasilla told me on Tuesday morning that most of the shop’s business that morning had been related to the king salmon harvest opportunity at Deshka River. Undoubtedly the river could see more king salmon fishing anglers over the remaining days of the season than during any of the days the river was restricted to catch and release fishing with single — hook artificial lures. Deshka River water level and stream temperature could play a significant role in how productive king salmon fishing is between now and July 13. With rain in the forecast the Deshka River water level should come up and stream water temperature should cool, both of which would be good for king salmon anglers.

Eklutna Tailrace king salmonThe tailrace/Knik River fishery is the only Mat-Su fishery that will remain open to king salmon fishing and harvest after Monday July 13. While this fishery has slowed, the cold water of the tailrace consistently provides a water temperature cool enough to encourage salmon activity. Sockeye salmon will be available in increasing numbers progressing into the next week.

Talkeetna River fishingTodd Kingery of Fishbone Charters in Talkeetna told me that a few more king salmon and some larger king salmon had shown up at this fishery. Todd is hoping that more large king salmon will continue to show up, even after the king salmon fishery closure on July 13. Give him a call at 841-3963 if you would like to make a reservation for one the last days of king salmon fishing on the Talkeetna River or if you would like to try the Talkeetna River drainage later in the season for other species.

Little Susitna River I’ve been guiding a few salmon fishing trips on the Little Susitna River during the past week, and while most of the king salmon now seem to have migrated past the weir, my guests have been catching a few. I have not seen any other salmon on the Little Su through Tuesday, but am hopeful each trip that my guests might catch a sockeye, chum, coho or pink salmon that they would have the opportunity to harvest if they so chose. King salmon fishing remains catch and release and all fishing is restricted to single-hook artificial lures at this location through July 13. After nearly two months of low king salmon passage, numbers upstream of Little Susitna River weir were within 150 fish of meeting the Little Susitna River king salmon spawning escapement goal range of 2100 to 4300 Tuesday.

Susitna River personal use dip net fishery opens on Saturdays and WednesdaysSaturday July 11 is the first open day of dip netting for salmon on the Susitna River below Susitna Station. The legal area was being marked by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game on Tuesday. This is a fishery for Alaskan residents only and an Alaska sportfishing license and personal use permit is required. Both items may be obtained at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Website. No one knows for sure how many Alaskans will participate in this fishery or how many salmon they will harvest, but it will be interesting to see what happens. I am personally planning to boat down the Susitna River and participate to some extent in this fishery, although I am not certain which day(s) I will go. There should be some sockeye, chum, pink salmon, and possibly even a few early coho salmon available at this fishery this Saturday. All salmon numbers should increase later in July. King salmon if caught must be immediately released.

Other Upper Cook Inlet personal use fisheriesAs mentioned in last week’s column both the Kasilof River and Kenai River personal use dip net fisheries will be open before most people read this column. The Kasilof River fishery has already had the area open to dip netting expanded because of large sockeye salmon escapement numbers 140,468 through Monday to this location. Kenai River river late-run sockeye escapement was at only 31,844 through the same time. Fishing is typically slower at the Kenai this early in the season, but experienced dip netter know to watch the escapement numbers posted on the ADF&G website when planning dip net trip timing. The Fish Creek fishery off of Knik Goose Bay Road in the Mat-Su Valley opens by emergency order after ADF&G projects adequate sockeye escapement past the Fish Creek Weir. Fish Creek sockeye escapement was only at 174 fish through Monday.

Mat-Su sockeye salmon sport fisheriesFish Creek and Cottonwood Creek should both have fishable numbers of sockeye salmon this weekend. Note: the small areas where salmon fishing is allowed on both of these streams are open between 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays only. After this weekend the Fish Creek sport fishery will be closed until early August in anticipation of the personal use fishery starting up. Eklutna Tailrace, Jim Creek, Talkeetna River, and Lake Creek could also possible see some early arriving sockeye salmon this weekend.

For more of this article, see frontiersman.com.

Parks Highway trout fishingSteve at Susitna Landing (495-7700) told me water levels had risen somewhat along the Parks Highway, but rainbow trout catch rates remained good. Trout catching this weekend will likely be somewhat dependent upon how much rain raises and muddies stream levels along the highway. Even if some streams become high and off colored, a bit of prospecting may reveal a stream(s) with better fishing conditions. Steve said camping space availability both during the week and for the coming weekend was good on Tuesday.

Tuesday, July 14: Bait fishing opensOn the Susitna River drainage July 14 is the transition date to manage for salmon species other than king salmon. Read the regulations of the specific locations you would like to fish to see if they open to bait and multiple hook use on this date. With the arrival of more sockeye, chum, pink, and coho salmon, and the harvest opportunities each of these species provide, fishing the Susitna River drainage suddenly will suddenly be much more appealing.

With the plethora of blossoming July salmon fishing opportunities be sure to check regulations before you go or call ADF&G at 746-6300 for clarification.

Stay safe and fish on!

Andy Couch is a local salmon fishing guide who provides Mat-Su Valley fishing reports throughout the season on his Fishtale River Guides website. See Fishing Reports at https.//www.fish4salmon.com