Lakes ice-free throughout Palmer-Wasilla core area

When I wrote last week’s fishing column only a few Mat-Su Valley lakes were ice-free and fishable, with Junction and Lucille Lake the only locations I knew that people had already been out in boats. Even before the weekend, however, additional lakes in the Kepler - Bradley system, including Matanuska Lake, had quickly lost all of their ice cover. I saw people boating and fishing on Matanuska Lake, even though it can be a bit difficult getting a small boat to the water on this particular lake. While people continue to fish Bradley Lake and Kepler Lake along the Glenn Highway west of Palmer, there are now many additional locations where Mat-Su anglers can fishing without needing to travel to Bradley or Kepler Lake in order to find some ice-free water.

Stocking Soon. I saw Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) fisheries biologist, Samantha Oslund, at the Palmer Fred Meyer’s on Monday, and had an opportunity to ask her for an update on local fishing conditions. Samantha mentioned that the valley was still in the transition stage going from winter to open-water fishing conditions, and that there had not been much news about good catches — yet. She did mention that a state hatchery truck might start stocking trout in the first few Mat-Su Valley lakes sometime after the May 11 / 12 weekend. Following their usual pattern I would expect the department to stock catchable (8 - 10 inch) rainbow trout at some of the first few lakes to become ice-free in the Palmer / Wasilla core area. Some of the earlier Mat-Su lakes stocked over the past several years include Bradley / Kepler, Lucille, Memory, Finger, and Canoe.

A.J., with 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle in Wasilla, mentioned he had heard a few trout were caught from the Talkeetna River recently — from the main river, and not up as far as Clear Creek. I was unable to talk with anyone who knew what boat launch conditions were at the Talkeetna Boat Launch — since I have not heard any good word — I would suggest attempting to call Phantom Tri River Charters in Talkeetna 907-733-2400 for a boat launch / fishing report, before even considering trailering a boat to fish the Talkeetna River. A. J. mentioned that anglers were reporting some catches of trout from the Parks Highway tributary streams north of Willow — with most of the fish being caught near tributary stream confluences with the Susitna River. He said the fishing success was often dependent upon water conditions and that high runoff could mud up the water and make catching more difficult. Often after the first snowmelt runoff, there can be a period where the streams clear and stabilize — with fish still congregated in the lower stretches of tributary streams and further downstream in the Susitna River. Trout fishing along the Parks Highway tributary streams is under catch and release regulations at this time, while anglers are allowed to harvest fish year-round in most of the stocked lakes.

Several streams closer to the main population centers including the Fish Creek / Meadow Creek, Cottonwood Creek, and Wasilla Creek drainages are closed to rod and reel sport fishing at this time to protect spawning rainbow trout. While these streams are open to bow and arrow fishing for Northern Pike, I have yet to hear of any angler successfully harvesting pike by bow and arrow — this year. Samantha Oslund mentioned that the ADF&G pike crew had already been netting and removing some northern pike from the creek draining out of Nancy Lake.

Lakes North of Wasilla, including Big Lake and Nancy Lake often break up a bit later, and may still be ice-covered at this time. When I talked with Corey at Burkeshore Marina in Big Lake on Tuesday, he said Big Lake was still frozen over and he did not anticipate the ice would go out until a week or more. Sonjia Praslowicz with Drill Team 6 Fishing Expeditions (DT6) told me,Tuesday, that they were hoping to start running guided fishing trips during the last week of May. DT6 will be guiding trips for Northern pike, rainbow trout, and arctic char on Big Lake this year, and are also booking king salmon trips for the Knik River fishery below the tailrace and upstream of the railroad bridge — 702-465-4747.

King Salmon. I checked out the Knik River Access boat launching area off of the Glenn highway and near Reflections Lake this past week. A few people have already been launching from this area with smaller boats and light trailers. The riverbank where boat launching occurs appeared both softer and steeper than the last time I launched here. The bank should firm up from additional days with warmer temperatures as May progresses. As mentioned in last week’s column I suggest inspecting the launch area to find the best looking spot to launch, and using a 4-wheel drive launch vehicle. I also talked with Dustin Slinker who operates The Bait Shack at Ship Creek in Anchorage, and he told me over several years time, their first king salmon is almost always caught right around May 19 or 20 at Ship Creek. Dustin has gained considerable knowledge on the early king of the season from Ship Creek, since the Bait Shack often has a significant Gear Giveaway, each season, to the person bringing in the first Ship Creek king salmon.

ADF&G Fishing Access Sites. Mat Miller with ADF&G provided approximate times for three Mat-Su area fishing access site openings:

Eklutna Tailrace is now open.

Little Susitna River Public Use Facility Boat Launch and Campground - closed awaiting snow melting / road drying - Boat launch season passes not available until decals arrive - Reservation system expected online May 15 with campground opening shortly after;

Susitna Landing Campground and Boat Launch are now open for day use only. Boat launch season passes not available until decals arrive. Reservation system expected online May 15 with campground opening shortly after.

ADF&G Seasonal Fisheries Technician Positions. Samantha Oslund with ADF&G mentioned that the Palmer office is looking to fill 3 different seasonal fisheries technician positions — including one position at Little Susitna River salmon counting weir. As some readers may know, I enjoyed working with ADF&G as a seasonal fisheries technician for a few years after graduating from high school, and while attending college. For someone with an interest in fisheries, who enjoys working outside during a summer season, these positions may be a good opportunity to explore this type of work, and possibly enjoy some opportunities to fish one or more of the better fishery locations in the Mat-Su Valley during your off hours. Interested individuals over the age of 18, should give the Palmer ADF&G office a call at 907-746-6300 and express their interest in the seasonal fisheries technician positions.

Good Luck and Fish On!