Mat-Su coho anglers challenged by high turbid water

By Tuesday of this week heavy rainfalls had swollen and muddied many Mat-Su Valley streams for likely a second extended timeframe this season. At Little Susitna River the water level had risen enough to overtop the Alaska Department of Fish and Game salmon counting weir on August 7 (one day after regulations allowed sport anglers to fish with bait for the first time during 2022.). The lower parking lot at Little Susitna River Public Use Facility Campground and Boat Launch was nearly full for most of the day on August 6, but with rapidly rising water, angling effort fell off sharply on Sunday August 7. 3,162 coho salmon had swum past Little Susitna River weir through August 8.

With the river level rising rapidly at Deshka River, ADF&G’s salmon counting weir project at this location was terminated at mid-day on Monday August 8 — with a cumulative count of 3,168 coho salmon passing the weir through mid-day. During the first week of August coho salmon passing the weir had increased from 823 to 3,057, and sport coho harvest from Deshka River were also increasing as well.

With rapidly rising water at Little Susitna River, the water can also get muddy or turbid, while at Deshka River the waters remain more clear. Because of the cleaner water and increased numbers of coho salmon migrating past the weir some salmon charter operators are running increased numbers of salmon charters to Deshka river this week. Current speed remains slower and more stable within a couple miles of the Deshka River / Susitna River confluence during high water flow events, because a higher Susitna River tends to backup water in the lower Deshka River for at least the first 3 river miles. Faster current speed further up the Deshka river and higher water volume create the angling challenges at this location.

Fishing Adjustments For Higher Stream Flows

The use of bait or scent (when legal), larger and more brightly-colored lures, and slower presentations are all used by anglers in an effort to continue catching salmon as stream flows increase. Sometimes finding a new spot to fish, with slower stream flow, can be even more important than other adjustments. An easy adjustment for some anglers is to switch fishing locations to a stream with more stable and clearer water. Streams with a lake system or low gradient often stay clear longer.

Cottonwood Creek, Fish Creek, Jim Creek, and Caswell Creek are locations with more stable stream flows the could provide good coho salmon harvesting opportunities this weekend. Note: Fish Creek regulations switch back to weekends only from 5a.m — 10 p.m. and the limit changes back to 3 salmon, 2 of which may be coho salmon starting on Saturday August 13.

Eklutna Youth Fishery: coming up on Saturday August 20

On the 3rd Saturday of August, the area from the pedestrian bridge to the Knik River confluence will be open to youth anglers under 16 years of age only (while anglers of all ages may continue fishing the remaining waters of the tailrace and waters of the Knik River).

Peak Coho Run Timing

While run timing varies throughout the Mat-Su Valley, anglers can expect peak coho salmon abundances at many Mat-Su locations for another week, and fishing locations further inland may continue to have peak coho salmon abundances for the next two weeks. Parks Highway tributary streams to the Susitna River should see this two-week upcoming abundance and weather forecasts for less rainy weather could boost angler success rates as well.

Good Luck and Fish On!

Andy Couch is a Mat-Su Valley fishing guide who primarily targets ocean-run salmon during summer months. You can read daily fishing reports on his Fishtale River Guides website: https://www.fish4salmon.com