Mat-Su king salmon arrive in several locations

Last Week I promised a fishing column about the 2014 Mat-Su king salmon returns — and that is the sole subject of this week’s column. The good news is king salmon have arrived and are being caught in many locations including Deshka River, Little Susitna River, Eklutna Tailrace, the Susitna River tributary streams along the Parks Highway between Willow and Talkeetna. As of Monday June 2, I even heard a positive catch report from Lake Creek. For the most part, king salmon migration conditions along the large Susitna and Yentna Rivers have been excellent with plenty of water for fish to travel the main rivers, but little or no flood-like conditions. Although there is plenty of water for king salmon travel on the Susitna River, water conditions are considerably lower than normal — and the same could be said for the clear water tributary streams where most anglers attempt to catch king salmon.

King salmon abundance

Through Tuesday June 3, a total of 628 king salmon had passed Deshka River Weir compared to only 82 king salmon one week earlier. Of the total, 380 of those Deshka River king salmon passed the weir on June 2 and 3, so one can see how the run is building sharply at this point. While it is still early in the Deshka River king salmon run, and run timing can be skewed early in the season by large daily counts — it is also worth noting that a count of 628 king salmon through Deshka River Weir by June 3 is the largest total in the past 10 years.

On Little Susitna River the second king salmon finally passed the Little Susitna River Weir on June 3, so while that king salmon count doubled over the past week, it is still at a very low level. From five years of Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) online records for Little Susitna River king salmon counts 2014 would rank tied for the lowest return through June 3 — with the 2013 Little Susitna River king salmon weir count through June 3 also at two fish. From my experience guiding for king salmon on Little Susitna River king salmon abundance can often be low through about June 10, but it should start rising sharply at or soon after that time.

At all other Mat-Su locations there are no annual weir counts to compare annual king salmon return numbers, however, my nephew reported seeing a individual with a king salmon at Eklutna Tailrace on June 1, and then he caught his own tailrace king on June 2.

Up the Parks Highway I’ve received multiple reports of king salmon rolling at the mouth of Willow Creek, and Jeff Boatright at Susitna Landing told me king salmon had been rolling at Susitna Landing for the past 5 days or so. Jeff also mentioned that some individuals had already taken advantage of the catch and release king salmon regulations on the Parks Highway tributary streams to catch some king salmon at Susitna Landing.

Low, clear water conditions

While king salmon numbers both at the Deshka River mouth and upstream through the weir have been good, low clear water conditions at the Deshka River mouth combined with a significant number of anglers seeking to harvest a king salmon at this location seem to have spooked the salmon into an uncooperative mood. There have been some better days of harvest, but on most days the number of Deshka River anglers has far outnumbered the number of king salmon caught. Emergency king salmon regulations on Deshka River and all other Mat-Su king salmon fisheries (except Eklutna Tailrace) have reduced king salmon harvest rates by not allowing the use of bait.

With ADF&G’s 2014 Deshka River king salmon projection calling for a total return of approximately 20,000 king salmon, and with 2014 Deshka River weir counts tracking at one of the highest levels in the past 10 years many Deshka River anglers are now asking when ADF&G will allow the use of bait on the Deshka River king salmon fishery?

Numerous past conversation I’ve had with local ADF&G fisheries manager Sam Ivey have revealed no specific trigger points, however, a Deshka River king salmon count of approximately 3,500 king salmon through the weir by June 13-15 would likely project to meeting Dehska River’s minimum king salmon escapement goal of 13,000 fish. Since the ADF&G emergency order restricting the use of bait at Deshka River is based on attainment of this goal number, logically, a run projection at some level larger than 13,000 fish could then be a trigger allowing the use of bait in the Deshka fishery.

In the meantime, downsizing lure selection, and fishing darker colored lures are two proven techniques some anglers are using to harvest Mat-Su wary king salmon under low clear water conditions. I applaud ADF&G for working through emergency regulations in an attempt to both meet Mat-Su king salmon escapement goal numbers and provide a full season of king salmon fishing for Mat-Su anglers.

Andy Couch owns and operates Fishtale River Guides www.fish4salmon.com and is a member of the Matanuska - Susitna Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission.