Fishing Kepler-Bradley

Since my family moved to Alaska in 1971 these two water-connected lakes on the north side of the Glenn Highway between Palmer and the Parks Highway have annually been one of the most popular trout fishing locations in the Mat-Su Valley.

Like many lakes in the Mat-Su Valley, surrounded by private property, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) stocks rainbow trout in this location only because one of the land-owners has provided public access for a fishery. In this case it has been the Kepler family that has provided that public access for so many years. For those that have visited or fished from Kepler Park there are several unique attributes to the public access provided at this location. While public access provided by private property owners at many Mat-Su stocked lakes may only consist of an extremely small parking area and an unmaintained trial to the lake, at Kepler Park there is a larger area providing more public parking, and a road that provides easy access right to both lakes. Parking at the bottom of the hill has a small cost, but parking along the highway at the top of the hill has always been free.

At its location in the Palmer-Wasilla core area and near two of Alaska’s most used highways plenty of resident Alaskan anglers and nonresident visitors drive by on a daily basis. As one of the first Mat-Su fisheries with open water, it has consistently been one of the earliest locations stocked by ADF&G each spring. Combine those first two attributes with a fishing area easily viewable from those driving by on the highway and fishermen take notice. Long before popular Mat-Su salmon fisheries are providing any salmon, anglers are catching rainbow trout at Kepler and Bradley Lakes. Heaviest angler use of these lakes corresponding occurs in the spring and first half of summer when Mat-Su salmon catching opportunities are limited.

For those interested in more secluded fishing opportunities the walking trails taking off from Kepler-Bradley Lake provide access to Victor Lake, Klaire Lake, Long Lake, and Matanuska Lake — all stocked by ADF&G. For group members that are not so interested in fishing, the trails provide an additional recreational opportunity to this location. Early in the summer rental row boats, row boats with small motors, and overnight camping spots with a picnic table and fire pits are all available at the park for a fee.

On Tuesday I called Kepler Park to inquire about these services provided at the park. For those interested in renting a boat, campsite, or just interested in the fishing you may give Kepler Park a call at 745-3053. You also might want to thank them for providing this significant public access to one of the Mat-Su Valleys most popular trout fisheries.

Kepler-Bradley lakes trout stocking

In addition to being one of the earliest lakes to received stocked rainbow trout each spring, the department releases larger catchable-sized fish here and at other more heavily fished locations in the Mat-Su Valley. I

n addition, to provide more consistent fish catching opportunities throughout the year, ADF&G stocks this location multiple times each year, and also stocks a limited number of lunker-sized brood trout for anglers to pursue. On Tuesday the individual answer the phone at Kepler park mentioned that anglers were landing good number of catchable sized trout (usually 8 - 15 inches) with some of the boat anglers also landing some fish over 24 inches. I would expect heavy angler participation at Kepler Park over the weekend, with steady but lower participation levels after the holiday weekend.

Parks Highway fishing

Marilyn Rouswell at Susitna Landing (495-7700) said people have been catching rainbow trout and arctic grayling lately.

The most recent development has been that anglers have started catching grayling. Spencer Cook owner of Red Beard Anglers and I FIsh Alaska Guide Service mentioned he will be starting fly fishing trips for trout and grayling on Parks Highway streams this week (357-0131).

Mat-Su salmon news

When I talked with Mike Hudson at 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle in Wasilla (373-5434) on Tuesday he mentioned a couple groups of anglers who had fished the Deshka River and landed a total of 9 king salmon. So far that is the most king salmon I’ve heard of being caught from any Mat-Su location. Fishing pressure was light at Deshka River over the weekend, likely because this king salmon fishery is limited to catch and release fishing only. Water flow levels have been high enough at Deshka River that ADF&G has not been able to install Deshka River weir. As I’m writing this column on Wednesday, ADF&G is hoping to get the weir installed to start counting king salmon on Thursday May 24. Therefore the first king salmon counts through Deshka Weir could be posted on the ADF&G website on Friday — or if the weir can not be installed on Thursday or if no king salmon passage is recorded Thursday evening the first Deshka River king salmon counts may not be posted until after Memorial Day Weekend.

Hooligan Note: Mike Hudson also mentioned that Susitna River hooligan had already arrived in the area near the Deshka River confluence. Therefore, I suspect the best hooligan catching opportunity of the season (near this location) will likely occur on Memorial Day weekend and the following week. This personal use fishery is for Alaska residents only and participants may harvest as many hooligan as they can use. For more information contact ADF&G at 746-6300.

I know of two king salmon that were landed from Little Susitna River last Saturday. One was snagged and had to be released, while the other was a legal fish that was harvested. Fishing pressure has been heavier at this location where king salmon may be harvested on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays each week. Catching has been extremely limited, and through Monday May 21 a total of 6 king salmon have passed Little Susitna River weir. I would expect heavier participation and a few more king salmon caught over Memorial Day Weekend.

Eklutna Tailrace

Although I’ve fished the tailrace several times this spring, I’ve yet to see a large king salmon. The past couple times I’ve been to the tailrace I’ve seen that have not yet migrated to the ocean. If someone has not yet caught a king salmon from the tailrace, I suspect the first kings salmon will likely be caught over Memorial Day weekend or during the following week. As with other Mat-Su king salmon locations, fishing will likely be slow, but the first few king salmon have already been harvested from Ship Creek in Anchorage, and it is getting to be that time of year when king salmon normally reach the tailrace.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend, be safe, and fish on!

Andy Couch owns Fishtale River Guides and posts free daily salmon fishing reports on his business website at http://www.fish4salmon.com