Mat-Su’s sport fishing salmon harvest finally arrives

From May 1 to July 13 many Mat-Su Valley locations with king salmon runs were regulated to catch and release king salmon fishing with tackle restricted to single-hook artificial lures only. While there are small numbers of salmon of other species returning to select Valley locations before July 13, sport harvests are extremely limited. That all starts to change around mid-July when sockeye, pink, coho, and chum salmon start their freshwater migrations up many Mat-Su rivers and streams. In addition, as mentioned in last week’s column, the Little Susitna River and many Susitna River drainage locations open to the use of multiple hooks on July 14. In addition many salmon harvest areas in the Susitna River drainage also opened to bait use on July 14 as well.

Regulations have changed, but the abundance of other salmon species is just starting to arrive in Mat-Su freshwaters. Through Monday July 11 Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) weir counts showed: Little Susitna River (since May 11) — 1,110 sockeye, 8 pink, 3 chum, and 0 coho salmon; Deshka River (since June 1) — 0 sockeye, 0 pink, and 0 coho salmon; Fish Creek ( since July 5) — 577 sockeye, 0 pink, 0 chum, and 0 coho salmon.

Freshwater locations within or near intertidal areas often produce some of the best and earliest Mat—Su Valley salmon catches. This year with the Eklutna Tailrace / Knik River being the only location where king salmon harvest was allowed, and with heavier angler effort at that location some of the best early July catches have occurred at this fishery. I am aware of king salmon, sockeye salmon, and coho salmon all having been taken from this fishery before July 13. From just a few sockeye and coho harvested the catch rates will continue to rise throughout the month of July, and while king salmon harvests will decline — at this one Mat-Su Valley location king salmon harvest remains open for the entire year. Note: king salmon harvest is only allowed in this very small portion of the Knik River drainage — please review regulations before fishing / harvesting. 24-hour per day fishing, bait, and multiple hooks are also open year round at this location. Catches of sockeye and coho are just starting to build, however, this will be one of the best Mat-Su Valley locations for sport anglers to harvest one or both of these species in the coming week.

Sockeye salmon abundances occur earlier than coho abundances, so other locations with significant sockeye salmon populations and conducive water conditions should also be on the list of Mat-Su anglers wanting to catch and harvest salmon in the coming week. Cottonwood Creek is only open in the intertidal area and only on Saturdays and Sundays from 5a.m. — 10 p.m. The fishing area is small, but the lakes upstream produce significant numbers of sockeye salmon. With recent cooler weather and forecasted rains water conditions could be good as well. Jim Creek flows into the Knik River several miles above the intertidal zone, but it does not take sockeye salmon long to make this journey. Hot weather during the first half of summer likely warmed Jim Creek waters to levels uncomfortable to migrating salmon, however, the same recent cooler weather and forecasted rain in the coming week could jump start this sockeye fishery as well. Salmon fishing is allowed in the lower portions of the Jim Creek 7 days per week during July.

The lower reaches of Fish Creek near Knik Goose-Bay Road are now CLOSED to sport fishing for the remainder of July, however, sockeye salmon counts through the Fish Creek Weir may at some point trigger a 7 — day per week July dip net fishery in the same small area. Look for an emergency order to appear on The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) website — this rarely occurs before July 20.

Pink Salmon

Mike Hudson with 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle and ADF&G fisheries biologist, Sam Ivey both told me within the past week that pink salmon are available at the Willow Creek / Susitna River confluence area. Mike mentioned getting angler reports of pink salmon catches being made at both Willow Creek and Deshka River. Numbers of fish available increase by this weekend, in the coming week, and throughout the month of July. As the run progresses pink salmon, chum salmon, and coho salmon will all become more abundant at several tributary stream /. Susitna River confluence areas on up the Parks Highway. There may be a few pinks, chums, and / or coho available as far north as Susitna Landing or Sheep Creek. Pink salmon will strike a variety of small spinners, spoons and wet flies, and can provide significant action for beginning salmon anglers. While no pink salmon had been counted past Deshka River weir when this article was written — cooler temperatures and rain may trigger pink salmon migration past Deshka River weir before this weekend. Little Susitna River weir passed the first pink salmon on July 1 and numbers continue to rise.

Chum Salmon

Early arriving chum salmon are exceptionally strong fighters, and often much larger than pink salmon. In many Mat-Su Valley locations they can have similar run timing with pink salmon, and earlier run timing than coho salmon. The first 3 chum salmon were counted through Little Susitna River weir on July 9. I’ve found early arriving chum salmon respond well to bait (salmon roe), plugs like a K-13 Kwikfish, and spinners.

Coho Salmon

Coho salmon are a prized sport fish for their willingness to strike a variety of lures and bait, for their air-borne fighting ability, and as excellent table fare. More coho or silver salmon are harvested from Mat-Su Valley freshwaters on an annual basis than any other salmon species. They can be found in numerous Mat-Su. Valley creeks and rivers, but usually have later run timing with abundances building throughout July and peaking in August. A few Mat-Su Valley coho salmon have already been harvested and a few more will be taken over the coming weekend. At the time this column was written no coho had passed Little Susitna River, Deshka River, or Fish Creek weirs, however, significant migrations upstream of the weirs often starts in late July— and is often triggered by cool weather / rain.

For the coming weekend Mat-Su salmon harvest will likely be low, providing anglers an opportunity to enjoy uncrowded fishing conditions at some of the Mat-Su’s more popular salmon fisheries. If the cooling trend and some rain continues as forecasted it will likely help fishing conditions at both salmon streams and lakes stocked with trout.

Anglers interested in significant salmon harvest opportunities may want to once again consider the Kasilof River, Copper River , or Kenai River perusal use fisheries for sockeye salmon, the Kasilof River sport fishery for sockeye salmon or saltwater fisheries off the Kenai Peninsula or Valdez. There is also opportunity to participate in the lower Susitna River personal use fishery each Saturday and Wednesday from July 10 — 31, but salmon available for harvest over the past two years has been low before July 20. There is a chance for a higher abundance this year on Saturday July 16 —- if the abundance surge of sockeye in the Northern District commercial fishery (which averaged over 200 sockeye salmon per delivery on Monday July 11), reaches the legal dip netting area by Saturday,

Good Luck and Fish On!

Andy Couch is a Mat-Su Valley fishing guide who primarily targets ocean-run salmon during summer months. You can read daily fishing reports on his Fishtale River Guides website: https://www.fish4salmon.com