Mat-Su Valley open water fishing begins

While a some hardy anglers have been catching rainbow trout from lower Willow Creek, and perhaps a few other early opening patches of water, for about two weeks, it has only been the past few days that have seen most lakes in the Mat-Su Valley core area near Palmer and Wasilla finally shedding winter’s icy cover.

A bit further north near Willow, the ice is a somewhat slower coming off the lakes; however, catch-and-release trout fishing is allowed starting at Willow Creek and proceeding north along the Parks Highway.

In addition to the popular fishery through the Willow Creek Recreation Area Park near Willow, Jeff Boatright told me this week anglers ave been catching rainbow trout and arctic grayling out of Susitna Landing Boat Launch. Bob Meals of Tri River Charters in Talkeetna reported he’s been dropping anglers off with rafts near the Clear Creek’s confluence with the Talkeetna River.

From the mouth of Clear Creek, anglers can take as much time as they want floating and fishing their way back to Talkeetna. Meals said some of the more experienced anglers have been catching up to 20 fish on that trip. Most of the fish are Dolly Varden, but anglers also catch rainbow trout and grayling when fishing the Talkeetna. The fishing opportunity on the Talkeetna River is some of the best of the entire year for char, trout and grayling.

With the cooler temperatures we’ve been experiencing lately, ice and snow melting along the river occurs on a more delayed basis, keeping the river water clear and productive for catching native freshwater species. The fishery holds up well until warmer temperatures cause enough melting action in the mountains and glaciers upstream that the Talkeetna colors up with sediment. A return of cooler weather can once again provide cleaner water, but usually by late May, the best Talkeetna trout fishing is done until the main river waters once again starts to clear with the cooler temperatures of fall.

Like many Mat-Su angling opportunities, there are specific times that produce some of the best catches, and this is one of those times for the Talkeetna River.

Lakes for fishing

and boating

Last week I spread some good news about larger stocked trout, char and salmon that the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will soon distribute throughout several Valley locations.

Also last week I was keeping an eagle eye on Finger Lake as I waited for the lake ice to melt so I could launch and make a test run with a new outboard motor on my boat. I wanted to take the opportunity to make sure everything was in order before launching and heading several miles down stream on the Susitna River.

This past Sunday, Finger Lake was open enough for my boat and motor test run, and I broke in the new motor, discovered the motor was mounted a bit too high for effective operation and prepared myself for the first river trip of the season. I also tried trolling a bit around the lake, although there was still enough ice to limit where I could boat on the lake.

As of Tuesday, my friend, Ben Allen reported that most of the ice was gone on Finger Lake, and he had taken a boat and fished nearly all over the lake. His wife hooked a nice, fat char, but lost it near the boat before they had a chance to get a picture. Wednesday night, Ben was off fishing another lake known for large rainbow trout in the Meadow Lakes area.

More river fishing opportunities

Many Frontiersman readers know that I’m seriously addicted to pursuing large Alaska salmon. I was finally able to boat to one of the Valley’s more well-known salmon fishing destinations on Monday.

With two friends, I launched at Deshka Landing and headed down the Susitna River to fish the Deshka River for king salmon. Like usual for this time of year, the Susitna River water level was low, but easily navigable in a jet boat or airboat.

We fished three to four hours without getting a bite or seeing any fish, but it was enjoyable to be out enjoying the Alaska outdoors.

On the trip downriver we stopped and talked with a couple boaters who were having some difficulty along the river, but they assured us they did not need help.

I attempted to drive to the lower Little Susitna River a couple times, including last Saturday, but found the last section of road muddy and rutted, so I turned around without reaching the river both times. I recently heard from another angler that he had driven to the river, so that river fishing opportunity for salmon is also becoming available — although you may want to call Alaska State Parks Finger Lake Headquarters and ask if they’ve graded the driving route to Little Susitna River Public Use Facility before you go.

Wednesday, I made another trip over to the Deshka River, this time taking two of my nephews along to fish with me. We fished longer, but after about six hours had not hooked any early arriving salmon.

On the trip back to Deshka Landing, we found another pair of boaters drifting down the river while attempting to start and keep their outboard running. A companion boat had turned around from downriver to assist.

Long off season

After a long winter, it can be difficult remembering all the aspects of safe boating operation before starting off on the first trip of the season.

In addition to making the initial check run on a lake, I like to have a list of items — both required by regulations and others required by common sense in order to jump start safe boating practices with each new season. Already this season I’ve been adding new items to my boat after each trip, and I’ve had the boat out three times.

Take your time, plan ahead and you should be able to avoid most boating mishaps and misadventures, while enjoying expanded angling opportunities available with a boat.

Andy Couch owns and operates Fishtale River Guides (fish4salmon.com), is a Mat-Su Anglers Club member (matsuanglers.org) and member of the Mat-Su Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Sportsmen’s Committee. Email this column at sports@frontiersman.com if you have Mat-Su fishing questions or information readers may find useful.