Kids and trout and lakes

For those attempting to teach their kids to enjoy fishing, nothing takes the place of action.

Kids like things to happen in a hurry, and in the right place and at the right time trout can provide that action. So far this spring, trout fishing has been just getting started, but now that most lakes in the Mat-Su Valley’s core area are ice free or nearly ice free open water trout fishing should kick into gear.

Fishing locations that have recently been stocked with catchable-sized fish by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game should significantly help anglers find concentrations of hungry trout. When I stopped by the Palmer ADF&G office earlier this week the young man behind the counter told me the department hatchery truck would start stocking on May 4 this year. I asked if he knew which lake would be stocked first, but he did not have that information, however, some popular core area lakes that have received the earliest stockings of catchable sized fish in recent years include: Kepler and Bradley Lakes, Junction (Loberg) Lake, and Finger Lake.

I’ve already seen anglers fishing all of these locations this spring, and more fish are likely on the way to each of this spots. ADF&G’s latest fish stocking information is available on line and updated weekly.

You can see it using the following URL: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=SportStockingHatcheriesSearch.main

Regulations

When trout fishing remember that most of the flowing waters in the Mat-Su core area are closed to fishing through June 15 to protect spawning wild rainbow trout populations. Most of the flowing waters from Willow Creek north are open at this time on a catch and release basis for rainbow trout. The 2017 fishing regulation booklet (which I’ve been mentioning during the last two columns) is now available at the Palmer ADF&G office and other locations — I picked up mine this week.

Finger Lake

I stopped by Finger Lake on Wednesday and saw four vehicles with boat trailers in the state park parking lot. There did not seem to be any ice left for as far as I could see looking out across the lake, and while I could see two boat from the boat launch and dock area, the other boats were distant enough to be out of sight.

The boat launch and dock are obviously both ready to go for another season. I suspect this location will look much different on the weekend, likely with a good crowd of anglers, campers, and boat riders. I’m hoping to get my first guide boat out for a check run at Finger Lake before the weekend. Finger Lake is my boat launch of choice nearly anytime I am making an early season or even midseason check run on one of my boats. Don’t forget to install the boat drain plug(s) before your launch. I like making a check run in a lake where I can easily paddle or row back to the launch if the motor is not running quite right. When starting off it is a good idea to warm the motor up for at least 5 to10 minutes just to see that it is running good, and thereby avoid that paddle back to the dock if it is not.

Boaters should also remember to update boat registrations and include life jackets, an anchor, paddles, oars and other safety gear before trailering the boat to the lake for the first time.

With landlocked salmon, rainbow trout, and Arctic char all available at Finger Lake, this location provides a recreational opportunity anytime a boat needs a checkout run. The charge for daily boat launch use at Finger Lake is $15. Another readily available boat launch with open water at this time is the city of Wasilla’s Lucille Lake site. There is also a daily use fee at this location as well.

Susitna River drainage

Three Rivers Fly and Tackle owner, Mike Hudson characterized fishing in the Susitna River drainage tributary streams as fair at this time, with some rainbow trout catches being made, but action likely to improve soon with improving water conditions. Margo Nealis of Phantom Tri River Charters in Talkeetna said they now have their first guide boat in the water, but the Talkeetna River boat launch is not usable at this time. Margo said they are now available to start running drop offs at Clear Creek or guided trips as well.

Joe Rouswell mentioned that several folks have been out fishing near Susitna Landing since last weekend, although he did not know of anyone catching trout, grayling, or char yet this spring. The catching should occur soon, and most of the campsites at Susitna Landing are in good shape at this time. Joe is expecting several campers out to the landing this weekend.

The boat launch is still partially covered with ice and not open yet.

Amy Davis at Deshka Landing mentioned the new launch weather cam is now installed and working. Ice has cleared enough to get boats out from the launch, however the landing personnel will be working on the boat launch and installing a new gate. Amy is planning on official launch opening on Friday May 12 with office hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

There are still some ice flows coming down the Susitna River, but the Deshka River has already flushed out and is running well at this time.

Little Susitna River

I’ve driven to the Little Susitna River Public Use Facility and the road is rough, but passable even in a two-wheel drive vehicle. Most of the wet spots are drying quickly. Matanuska -Susitna Borough Road Maintenance personnel was inspecting the one location where melt water was overflowing the road earlier this week.

The river remains extremely low, but a few people have already launched boats from this site. Use fees have gone up for this facility with daily parking now costing $7 per vehicle and daily park and launch now costing $15. Camping and seasonal pass fees have also gone up.

Eklutna Tailrace

For those choosing to look for an extra early Mat-Su Valley king salmon I’m thinking that the Eklutna Tailrace will likely have the best water conditions for such an endeavor through this weekend. The area where most people fish near the tailrace only consists of about a quarter-mile of flowing water. The gate to the parking lot has been opened for the season, and there is no fee to use this facility.

Good luck and fish on!

Andy Couch is a 35-year Mat-Su Valley fishing guide, you may visit his website and read his latest fishing reports at http://www.fish4salmon.com/2017-fishing-reports/april-may-2017-alaska-fishing-reports/