Lakes and boat launches

When I talked with Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) biologist Sam Ivey this week, he mentioned the number of additional lakes losing their ice cover and becoming fishable in open water as the continuing good news for Mat-Su Valley Anglers. Sam had been out checking out a boat on Finger Lake — which only recently became ice-free. Finger Lake and Lucille Lake in down town Wasilla are two of the most used Mat-Su Vally boat launches early in the season as they often become ice free earlier than many other locations. At times both ca=n also provide some of the better fishing catching opportunities in the Valley. This weekend and during the following week these two lakes will likely produce some of the better fish catching opportunities. It certainly is nice to have a boat when fishing these two lakes in particular, as much of the land surrounding each of these lakes is private with houses and lawns close to the shoreline. Both the Alaska State Parks boat launch on Finger Lake and the City of Wasilla boat launch on Lucille Lake are fee launch sites — which helps to maintain these facilities.

Sam Ivey also mentioned that looking at satellite imagery he could visibly see many additional Mat-Su Lakes now ice free, and I am sure this is the case in the Palmer - Wasilla core area, however as one moves north of west it takes a bit longer for lakes to lose their ice cover. Mike Hudson told me of seeing pictures on Tuesday of a popular fishing lake in the Meadow Lakes area that was still ice covered. He thought the ice looked rotten and should be gone before long — likely before the coming weekend. Mike also mentioned personally driving out to the Point MacKenzie area over last weekend where he saw some lakes were still ice covered. The further one travels from the Palmer - Wasilla core area — the more likely anglers may still find ice covered or partially ice-covered lakes —- even for this coming weekend. The lakes with open water, however, will likely provide most of the fish caught in the Mat-Su this weekend.

Looking at the ADF&G website and doing a stocking search on Monday I found that Eklutna Tailrace had already been stocking with small coho salmon smelt, however, no Mat-Su lake had received a May at that time. I asked Sam Ivey if he had an updated timeline on when some Mat-Su lakes might be stocked. He said the department had prioritized stocking some Anchorage lakes recently, however, he expected some of our Mat-Su lakes should be stocked before the weekend. He mentioned Kepler - Bradley Lake near Palmer, Lucille Lake in Wasilla, and Finger Lake as locations that could receive some of the earlier stockings.

Rivers and Boat Launch Conditions

Talkeetna. I know of rainbow trout and Dolly Varden being caught from the Talkeetna River during the past week —- one report in particular sounded like very good fishing, however, the fish were bunched up in a particular spot. In such a situation anglers at that one spot may have most of the luck, while other anglers are making many casts for far fewer fish in other locations. I was told —but have not confirmed —the Talkeetna River boat launch is open. Water is often quite shallow going out of this location, and particularly early in the season.

Little Susitna River Public Use Facility boat launch opened to public use on Friday of last week, but I have heard no reports of king salmon being seen, hooked, or caught from any Mat-Su locations yet this year. There is a fee for parking and boat launching at Little Susitna River Public Use Facility to help maintain the facility.

Deshka Landing. On Monday the boat launch lagoon at Deshka Landing was mostly ice free, however, when I called and talked to Adam at Deshka Landing on Tuesday he did not know for sure when the boat launch would be open for use by season permit holders. He mentioned that decision would be made by other people, but he thought it possible Deshka Landing boat launch could be open by the weekend. Later in the day it was posted on the Deshka Landing website that the boat launch would open to both summer pass holders and day pass users on Thursday May 18. To see boat launch conditions before you go: https://www.deshkalanding.com/weather-cam/

Knik River Access. I can personally attest that there was open water and lots of boat /water vehicle use from the Knik River Access off of the Glen Highway near Reflections Lake this past weekend. I briefly drove down, counted 19 boat trailers, saw boats and jet skis out on the river, and saw plenty of vehicles filling up the parking lot and parked along the side of the access road. It was a nice sunny afternoon to get outside and enjoy the weather, check out a boat, or just go for a ride.

Susitna Landing. When I called Susitna Landing on Monday I heard a recorded message that the landing would be closed from May 1 — May 20 in preparation for the summer season. 907-495-7700.

Big Lake. Just before writing this column I read on the Burkeshore Marina website that there was still ice on Big Lake. Before making a trip to Big Lake a person might want to check out their website https://www.burkeshoremarina.com/ or give Burkeshore a call at 907-892-6300.

Conditions will continue changing before the weekend, but I trust anglers may find the above information useful.

Andy Couch owns and operates Fishtale River Guides — he now is posting his website fishing reports at https://www.fish4salmon.com/alaska-fishing-reports/