Lots of king salmon fishing with a little catching

This past week I’ve been guiding every day on the Deshka or Little Susitna River for king salmon. Nearly every trip has been lots of fishing with a limited amount of catching. I did have one trip where a group of four people each caught their king salmon, although it took nearly the entire trip.

Water conditions are low and clear at both locations as I write this column on Wednesday evening. King salmon catching at the Deshka River seems to be mainly limited to the area around the river’s confluence with the Susitna River and then a few specific holes upstream, but below the weir. I don’t know what time the best holes upstream of the landing fill up as they have always been taken before I arrive after leaving Deshka Landing around 5 a.m.

There are usually good places to anchor at the mouth around 5:15 a.m., however, one never knows how many other boats of anglers will be anchoring within casting distance of your chosen spot before the official fishing start time of 6 a.m. each morning.

The past couple mornings at Deshka River, my guests and I have been first boat in two different good fishing locations, with active king salmon surfacing before 6 a.m. My guests have had a few bites shortly after 6 a.m., however, after boats start running up and down river looking for better fishing locations, the bite has quickly shut down where I’ve been fishing.

From conversations I’ve had I know lots of other anglers have had similar experiences, however, a few boat groups at the better locations have been catching limits or near limits on a daily basis. Like fishing further upriver, fishing near the Deshka’s confluence with the Susitna River usually start with some king salmon hooked right away — but some action can extend for most of the day near the mouth.

Bait is allowed at the Deshka River at this time. A total of 4,779 king salmon have sum past Deshka River weir through June 13.

On the Little Susitna River lower concentrations of king salmon are scattered throughout the 32 miles of river below the Alaska Department of Fish and Game salmon counting weir, with 206 kings having swum past the weir through June 13.

Some anglers choose to spend their time at one of the prime holes waiting for king salmon to migrate past, while other move from spot to spot in search of the fish. This fishery is limited to artificial lures only, and with the lower water conditions the few available fish can be spooky after people have been fishing over them for a while.

There are no large deep holding areas where the fish concentrate like the Deshka/Susitna River confluence, but there are still strong numbers of anglers out searching for the elusive harvestable king salmon.

To my way of thinking, the weir-measured king salmon escapement counts at both Little Susitna River and Deshka River need to pick up soon, or ADF&G may need to make some king salmon conservation restrictions on both of the Mat-Su Valley’s most accessible harvest fisheries for wild king salmon before long.

King salmon catching opportunity

For those seriously interested in catching king salmon, the Parks Highway tributaries of the Susitna River between Willow and Talkeetna may offer some of the better catching opportunities over the coming weekend and during the next week. These fisheries continue to be managed by emergency order as catch and release king salmon fisheries during the 2017 season, providing a considerably less crowded fishing experience.

These tributary fisheries are also limited to single hook artificial lures only with open fishing hours between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily through June 19, and then limited to Saturday, Sunday, and Monday only for the next two “weekends.”

Marilynn Rouswell of Susitna Landing (495-7700) mentioned that water conditions at this location have improved considerably since last weekend, and some the Susitna Landing regulars had been catching some unusually large salmon this past week. Boat fishing pressure has been limited to about two or three boats at a time, considerably different than the levels seen at the Deshka and Little Susitna Rivers.

Little Willow Creek, Willow Creek, Sheep Creek, and Montana Creek are some of the more popular catch and release king salmon streams.

Lake Creek/Yentna River Drainage

Tom Payton, who owns a place near Skwentna, told me that king salmon fishing had been good in the Lake Creek area and that he had heard of several large king salmon in the 40-pound class being taken. When he went however, the water had shot up about two feet, but it has since dropped down to a better fishing level once again.

Eklutna Tailrace

Several people have asked me about the Eklutna Tailrace king salmon fishery, and I have not heard anyone who has taken a king salmon at that location, yet, but I suspect some king salmon have been caught.

For those wanting to get the scoop on the tailrace I would suggest calling the Palmer ADF&G office at 746-6300 and asking one of the employees specifically about the Eklutna Tailrace king salmon fishery. Since this is a stocked fishery, and since the Department is busy imprinting the young king salmon smolt at the tailrace before their release, ADF&G fisheries biologists have a very good feel for what is happening with this king salmon fishery.

Fish on and may the kings be with you!

Andy Couch guides Alaska salmon fishing trips on the Deshka and Little Susitna Rivers. By visiting his website you can read free daily fishing reports at http://www.fish4salmon.com/