Mat-Su stocked lakes top fish-catching opportunities

I’ve been hearing of good catches of nice-sized holdover rainbow trout being caught from some of the Palmer-Wasilla core area lakes recently. From Kepler Lake, in particular, I heard of some trout over 20 inches being taken. Although Kepler has been known for producing fish of this size in the past, chances at catching one of these larger fish from one of the more heavily fished Mat-Su lakes have likely been enhanced by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) stocking 250 rainbow trout averaging 21 inches in length last December. While intent of that stocking may have been to provide extra ice fishing excitement, fish from that stocking, still swimming in Kepler or Bradley Lake at this time, increase anglers’ chances at catching one or more lunkers early in the open water season. In January of this year the Department stocked an additional 250 rainbow trout averaging about 15 inches in length at the Kepler-Bradley location, and once again holdover fish from that stocking will also be increasing anglers’ chances of catching fish larger than the average spring catchable release size of 8 - 12 inches.

Stocking Searches

There are too many Mat-Su Valley lake stocking locations throughout the Mat-Su Valley to list them all, and also mention what species, and size of fish were stocked in this column. From my experience there are several lesser known stocked valley lakes that, at times, can have as good or even considerably better fish-catching opportunities compared to Kepler or Bradley Lake. It is certainly not my intention to single out specific small fishing spots in this column, however, I will point anglers interested in increasing their chances of catching fish to the ADF&G Stocking Search webpage. One other tidbit I offer is that the department has already been delivering some of those spring catchable sized rainbow trout to Mat-Su Valley lakes. Use this linked to learn Mat-Su locations, numbers of fish stocked, species, and average fish size stocked: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=SportStockingHatcheriesSearch.main

Deshka Landing Boat Launch Opened —Then Restricted

On Friday afternoon May 10, 2024 Deshka Landing boat launch opened for season pass holders and those with Landing memberships, however since that time there has been an issue with the gate / computer system and access hours were reduced to 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. until the gate issue can be repaired. At last notice it was uncertain when the landing would open to the general public — pending repair. For that reason I would suggest looking at the Deshka Landing Facebook page or calling the landing office (907-495-3374) for a landing / boat launch update, before trailering your boat to Willow.

Hooligan

Before the gate issue, a couple of my nephews and 2 additional friends went pike and hooligan fishing out of Deshka Landing on Saturday May 11. The side slough they fished for pike was high with run-off and had a much faster than normal current. They saw either one fish follow a lure back near the boat two times, or they may have seen 2 fish follow a lure back to the boat one time each. At any rate, they did not even get a bite while pike fishing, attributing that result possibly occurring because the current may have been too fast. Hooligan —I am happy to report they did better with hooligan, catching what they wanted with one short trout net near the Yentna - Susitna River confluence. I saw those fish and they looked beautiful, although I don’t have any hankering to eat hooligan, personally. I would imagine the Susitna River hooligan catching should be even better by this weekend, and especially for those willing to boat all the way to the Yentna River/ Susitna River confluence. As usual this is fishery for Alaska residents only. Residents are allowed to take as many as they need for their personal use, however, even residents should be mindful not to take more than they will use.

Little Susitna River Salmon Counting Weir

ADF&G fisheries biologist, Samantha Oslund sent me an email on Monday May 13, and mentioned the department hoped to get Little Susitna River weir installed that day. Samantha also mentioned the department planned to have online fish counts posted soon after installation. Look for Little Susitna River weir counts and other ADF&G fish counts here: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/FishCounts/ Note: The Little Susitna River and entire Susitna River drainage have both been closed to king salmon fishing (including catch and release fishing) through July 13. King salmon counts at Little Susitna River weir and Deshka River weir should allow ADF&G and the public opportunities to research the status of the wild king salmon returning to each of these locations, throughout the 2024 season.

Mat-Su Lakes Continue to Open

Dan Suprak told me the ice had receded on Big Lake enough for his wife and him to launch at the Big Lake North Boat Launch on Monday May 13. They fished a few areas and saw one very large pike that was unwilling to bite what they were offering, and expected better fishing conditions at Big Lake as the remaining ice melts and water temperatures warm up.

On Saturday May 10 my wife and I attended the annual membership meeting at Deshka Landing in Willow. On the drive north we noticed that Nancy Lake appeared to be totally ice free, while just a few miles up the highway, Willow Lake still had a mostly intact although extremely rotten-looking ice cover. I suspect by the time this column is printed the Willow Lake ice will have broken up / melted. I would also mention that nearly all the snow had already melted in and close around Willow, as conditions rapidly proceed toward our coming 3 months of summer. With improving conditions, a staff member at 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle in Wasilla mentioned that trout catching near Susitna River tributary streams north of Willow continues to improve as well.

Good Luck and Fish On!