King catches increase at Eklutna Tailrace

When I talked with Alaska Department of Fish and Game fisheries biologist, Samantha Oslund this week, she mentioned that king salmon catching had picked up substantially at Eklutna Tailrace this week, and she expected some of the best king salmon catches of the season to continue through the coming weekend.

At this time Eklutna Tailrace/Knik River remains the only king salmon fishery in the Mat-Su Valley where anglers are allowed to harvest ocean-run king salmon. According to Oslund there was good participation in the youth fishery that occurred at this location last Saturday (June 20) and several youth managed to harvest a king salmon. If you decide to go, keep in mind there are often more anglers attempting to catch king salmon than king salmon being caught on a daily basis. Success can often be better early in the morning or late in the evening. According to Jared at 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle in Wasilla, herring has been a top producing bait for king salmon at the tailrace recently, even topping the ever popular cured salmon roe.

Like Oslund, he mentioned better king salmon harvests occurring a the tailrace this week and added that 3 Rivers currently had both salmon roe and herring available for purchase, but that roe was becoming harder to find at most local tackle retailers. Note about bait fishing and fishing for 24 hours per day for ocean run king salmon: Eklutna Tailrace is the only location where these opportunities are currently allowed in the Mat-Su Valley.

Talkeetna River king salmon

When I talked with a spokesperson for Phantom Tri River Charters in Talkeetna (733-2400) on Tuesday, she mentioned they were now guiding some king salmon trips and that people were starting to catch some of smaller king salmon at this time. Generally the last week of June and first week of July provide the best king salmon catching opportunity near the Clear Creek confluence with the Talkeetna River. Single hook artificial lures are required and all king salmon caught must be released. This is a beautiful time of year to spend some time on the Talkeetna River drainage.

Deshka River king salmon

Through June 22, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game had counted 6,646 king salmon passing the Deshka River weir. According to Oslund water conditions remain good for king salmon fishing and king salmon passage past the weir when I talked with her on Tuesday. King salmon catching on a catch and release basis with single hook artificial lures has remained good near the Deshka River Susitna River confluence with angler often catching multiple king salmon during a day of fishing. Jim Tilton of Deshka River Landing Lodge and Charters gave me similar information the last time I talked with him. Jim has also mentioned that fishing pressure has continued to be light at this popular fishing location, and on some trips there have been less than five boat fishing during prime morning or evening hours.

Little Susitna River king salmon

The big news from Little Susitna is that water conditions have improved significantly. Even after dropping, the river remains at a higher than normal level, however, there is decent clarity and experienced Little Susitna River anglers have been catching some king salmon. Fishing pressure remained light earlier this week at this catch and release king salmon fishery.

Parks Highway trout fishing

Jared mentioned the trout fishing in streams crossing the Parks Highway north of Willow continued getting better over the past week. He specifically mentioned Willow Creek as producing better catches with anglers doing well on white flies. Jared also mentioned better trout fishing now occurring at this location upstream of the Parks Highway. Another specific steam Jared singled out for good trout fishing is Montana Creek with some good catches occurring on mouse patterns.

When I talked with Jennifer at Susitna Landing (495-7700), she mentioned that water level remains quite high in the Kashwitna River, but that anglers were catching some rainbow trout. The Landing has much better availability for camping sites for the coming weekend compared to last weekend. If you’ve never camped at Susitna Landing, the camp sites are more spacious than at many other campgrounds, and it has always had a relaxed atmosphere when I have visited. Camping at Susitna Landing provides the opportunity for quick and easy access to the Sheep Creek and Montana Creek fisheries as well. Note: there is also a campground located along the Parks Highway and near the confluence of Montana Creek with the Susitna River.

Lake fisheries

A little cool wet weather recently has also kept lake water temperatures cooler than last summer, and according to Jared many Mat-Su Valley lakes continue to fish well. Find the right stocked lake and you will likely find some of the better fish catching opportunities for this coming weekend. Samantha Oslund mentioned a recent arctic grayling stocking by the department in a lake near the summit of Hatchery Pass as providing a new fishing opportunity —-something that may be worth checking out as the lake is easily accessible form the road.

New 2020 opportunity

Fish Creek near the Knik-Goose Bay Road opened to salmon fishing for species other than king salmon on Saturdays and Sundays only between June 15 to July 14 starting in 2020. This sport fishery will be open this weekend and Northern District commercial set netters have been catching a few sockeye salmon from Northern Cook Inlet, so there is a chance a very few sockeye could be available at Fish Creek by the weekend.

Good luck 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