Mat-Su trout out

When I talked with Mike Hudson with 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle in Wasilla this week he mentioned that most of the rainbow trout appear to have dropped out of the Parks Highway tributary streams to the Susitna River. He mentioned that most trout caught recently are in the stream confluence areas with the Susitna River. With cooler weather limited visibility in the Susitna River itself is starting to improve.

Mike also mentioned that rainbow trout in particular have also been dropping out of Talkeetna Drainage streams, but that some anglers have been doing well for Grayling in the Talkeetna River.

When I asked about northern pike, Mike confirmed what I had heard for other sources, that pike catching has dropped of in Big Lake and other drainages as well. He did mention that some anglers had still be doing well for pike in the Nancy Lake system.

Fishing pressure has been light throughout the Mat-Su Valley recently, which provides an opportunity to fish many spots with little competition at a beautiful time of the year. Mornings in particular are often cool this time of year, with more pleasant temperatures (especially on the water) later in the day. Mat-Su lakes often provide some of the better action of the season in the fall — weather conditions permitting — no one knows when we will start getting snow and ice.

Kenai Rainbows

The hot fishing trip Mike provided was that rainbow trout fishing on the Kenai River had been very good lately with some heavyweight well-fed trout being caught recently. Dustin Slinker also told me about making some good trout catches on the Kenai River recently.

Matanuska Valley Fish and Game Advisory Committee Meeting

This will be the first meeting of the fall / winter for the most active fish and game advisory committee in the Mat-Su area. The meeting is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. at the Wasilla VFW #9365 located at 301 E Lake View Avenue. I believe this will primary be an organizational meeting — although it is a public meeting and the public is always welcome to share their concerns with Mat-Su and statewide fish and game issues, attending one of these meetings may also help people become more aware of how local and statewide fish and game regulations are developed.. This years Boar of Fisheries cycle includes proposals for Prince William Sound and the Upper Copper River drainage, statewide shellfish, and 9 agenda change requests for the Upper Cook Inlet Area. This year’s Board of Game cycle will include proposals submitted for the Mat-Su Valley (Game Management Units 14A, 14B, 16A, 16B) and also the Copper River drainage including the popular Unit 13. This meeting will be an in person meeting only — with no Zoom Link provided.

Susitna Valley Fish and Game Advisory Committee

October 15, 5 p.m. at Talkeetna Library. Two regular members and two alternate members may be elected at this meeting. In addition the committee will discuss which Board of Fisheries and Board of Game proposals the committee may wish to comment on during this winter’s board cycle.

Fairbanks Fish and Game Advisory Committee Meeting

Last week I mistakenly listed this meeting as occurring on Oct. 2 —- however the meeting was actually scheduled for Oct. 9. I am still hoping to listen in on a Zoom Link, but the meeting will be over before this column goes to print.

Matanuska- Susitna Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission

Meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday October 24 at the Mat-Su Borough Building, Conference Room 203. A zoom link is provided and several members of the public often attend / participate online. A time for public participation is set aside near the start of most meetings. More information and the agenda will be accessible here.

Good Luck and Fish On!