King salmon fishery options waning

For anglers that may not be aware, the Alaska Department of Fish & Game issued emergency order 2-KS-2-41-15, which allows use of bait in Little Susitna River downstream of the Parks Highway from 6 a.m., July 3 to 11 p.m., July 13. Fish and Game manages the river to attain a spawning escapement objective range of 900 to 1,800 king salmon. Their Little Susitna River weir count and an aerial survey conducted on June 30 both indicated king salmon in surplus of the escapement range may be available for harvest, therefore providing reason for the emergency order.

Water conditions are currently extremely low on the Little Su, making greater the likelihood of scraping bottom and hitting or sucking rocks during a boating trip. Most of the king salmon are now located downstream of the Parks Highway, but many miles upstream of Fish and Game’s weir.

Much lower numbers of king salmon remain available below the weir and can be accessed through the Little Susitna River Public Use Facility boat launch and campground.

Because of the low and clear water conditions, the salmon have been spooky and difficult to catch, however, the use of bait will definitely increase most anglers’ ability to get hooked up once they locate some king salmon. The most used bait is cured salmon roe — although other baits and scents are also effective and legal under this emergency order. I expect to see a modest increase in king salmon harvest from this regulation change.

Deshka River king salmon

For most people with boat access, the Deshka continues to provide one of the better options for catching and harvesting a king

salmon, although even jet boat travel becomes difficult about two miles upstream of the mouth, due to extremely low water levels. The exception would be for those with use of an airboat that can operate without fear of dragging bottom with the motor. Due to low and often relatively warm water, early morning (fishery opens at 6 a.m.) and late evening fishing (until closure at 11 p.m.) often provide the best opportunities to harvest king salmon on the Deshka River. In my experience, Deshka often provides the most chrome, bright king salmon still available for harvest during the first week of July. Look for a significant rain, which could increase river flow levels and trigger a hot bite for a couple days.

Talkeetna River drainage and Upper Susitna

This is where I would look for some of the hottest king salmon catching opportunity at this time. But remember that all king salmon fishing is limited by emergency order to catch and release only on these waters. It is advisable to read all Fish and Game emergency order regulations before making a king salmon fishing trip to the Talkeetna River drainage or Susitna River tributaries upstream of the Talkeetna River.

According to Rhett Nealis of Phantom Tri River Charters, water conditions have been somewhat challenging for catching king salmon in the Clear Creek area on the Talkeetna. The main Talkeetna has been quite muddy, while Clear Creek is very low and clear and the bite can shut off later in the day and particularly on bright sunny days. Still, Rhett mentioned the availability of large king salmon in excess of 50 pounds to be caught from Clear Creek. Tri River guests have already caught several of these big boys this season.

Eklutna Tailrace

While the fishery remains open for king salmon harvest on a 24 hour per day, seven day per week basis, with the use of bait allowed, king salmon numbers having been dropping off at this location. On a recent mid-morning trip, my wife and I found parking spaces readily available, and we observed a few smaller king salmon caught, although we were unable to hook up ourselves. For a quick, easily accessible trip, this remains a good option — a fair amount of smaller king salmon and jack king salmon still remain available near and below the tailrace’s confluence with the Knik River.

Parks Highway fisheries closed

Streams normally open to king salmon fishing between Willow and downstream of Talkeetna River are now closed to all fishing through July 13 to protect staging king salmon. For those looking for some quiet, peaceful camping, now would be a good time for enjoying such at several campgrounds in this area. Lakes and portions of streams remain open to trout and grayling fishing — be sure to check regulations if you intend to fish one of the area streams at this time.

Check back next week to learn my season wrap-up thoughts on what has been an interesting king salmon season.

Andy Couch has guided sportfishing trips in the Mat-Su Valley for over 30 years. Visit his website at fish4salmon.com.