Mat-Su king salmon opportunities abound

When I talked with Marilynn Rouswell at Susitna Landing on Wednesday, she said that both bank and boat anglers fishing out of Susitna Landing had been catching some king salmon. Rhett Nealis of Phantom Tri River Charters in Talkeetna mentioned that they have been catching a few king salmon from the Talkeetna River system for about a week now, but that the hot weather is starting to make the Talkeetna River itself muddy. Rhett said it is still too early to tell how many king salmon may be returning to the Talkeetna River this year, but the king salmon catching has started earlier that usual. My wife also talked with a an angler who had been fishing near the mouth of Willow Creek during this week, and caught several king salmon from the bank. Note: at this time all of these fisheries are strictly catch and release only for king salmon, but for anglers wanting to get away from some of the more crowded king salmon fisheries they should provide a good opportunity to catch king salmon through Monday. After Monday June 20, the Parks Highway tributary streams to the Susitna River will only be open to king salmon fishing on the following two Saturday / Sunday / Monday weekends. They Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) issued a statement that it will be monitoring king salmon escapements and considering management options after the weekend.

Deshka River King Salmon

On Saturday June 11 ADF&G liberalized the Deshka River king salmon annual limit back to 5 king salmon per season based on king salmon escapement numbers through the Deshka River Weir. Such a move by the Department should indicate that the Deshka River king salmon run seems to at least be at or near an average run size — if not larger. Since the Department has long maintained that Deshka River king salmon are one of their main indicators for king salmon run strength throughout the Susitna Drainage, there is already one long term indicator that king salmon returns may be at or near average strength throughout the Susitna River drainage. Since last weekend, Deshka River water levels have been dropping and the king salmon catch rate by sport anglers has been dropping for sharply near the Deshka River / Susitna River confluence. On Wednesdays anglers reported seals working in this area, which likely contributed to a slow down in sport angler success. For the rest of the season expect Deshka River to fish best after significant rainfall events that raise and cool Deshka River water levels. As of Tuesday June 14, 15,768 have already passed the Deshka River Weir keeping the total escapement ahead of last years return on the same date. While Deshka River has been providing the lion’s share of wild king salmon harvest opportunity in the Mat-Su Valley in 2016, most days there are more boats / fishing parties than good places to fish downstream of the Deshka River salmon counting weir. Water levels are now low enough that it is getting difficult to navigate even as far upstream as the weir without hitting rocks or bars.

Little Susitna River King Salmon

Catch rates have been decent at Little Susitna River this year, however starting on June 13, the king salmon escapement through Little Susitna River Weir has started lagging behind what occurred in 2015. As of Tuesday June 14, a total of 672 king salmon has passed the Little Susitna River weir in 2016. King salmon harvest is allowed on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays at Little Susitna River below the Parks Highway Bridge. Earlier most of the king salmon seemed to be holding downstream of the Little Susitna River Public Use Facility Boat Launch, but the upstream migration will likely be in full swing now for the next week or 10 days.

Eklutna Tailrace King Salmon

I’ve talked with several people who have been encouraged with the Eklutna Tailrace kings salmon fishery this season. On Wednesday my nephew, Paul Warta told me about fishing the tailrace for about an hour and seeing 4 king salmon caught. Even though Paul failed to catch a king salmon, his sister caught one, and he was encouraged by the amount of action he saw. The Eklutna Tailrace fishery is unique at this time in the Mat-Su Valley in that it is open on a 7 days per week and 24 hours per day basis for king salmon harvest. Bait and multiple hooks are also allowed at this fishery, and it is road accessible for bank angling. The best salmon catching area is relatively small, but plenty of king salmon will likely be harvested from their fishery in 2016.

This weekend should provide near peak king salmon fishing at some or all of the above mentioned locations. If you go, be prepared to see plenty of other anglers at the locations open to king salmon harvest. Good Luck and Fish On!

Andy Couch has been sport fishing for Mat-Su Valley king salmon since the 1970’s.