Parks Highway streams open to seven-day per week fishing

As I mentioned in last week’s column the lower sections of Susitna River tributary streams from Willow Creek up to the Talkeetna River opened to fishing on July 14. Mike Hudson at 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle in Wasilla told me he’d talked to a good number of anglers who were looking forward to the opportunity to fish these streams that had previously been restricted and then closed for a while to protect staging king salmon. The very lower sections of these streams also opened to bait fishing on July 14. Hudson expected people would be catching pink salmon, chum salmon, and possibly a few silver salmon from these streams. Marilynn Rouswell at Susitna Landing was hoping some of the season pass holders at Susitna Landing might start using that facility on a more consistent basis now that fishing is open and there may be numbers of salmon for guests to target and harvest.

Most Mat-Su Valley king salmon fishing closed July 13

In all Mat-Su Valley fishing locations except Eklutna Tailrace, the season for ocean-run king salmon closed on or before July 13. Although anglers may now fish many of these areas for other species intentionally attempted to hook or catch king salmon is now prohibited. Most of these fish are now quite dark and preparing to spawn. Let’s hope an unmolested spawning season for king salmon will continue the trend of increasing king salmon numbers in some of the Valley’s important king salmon producing streams.

Fish Creek sockeye numbers

Although Fish Creek that drains out of Big Lake and crosses Knik-Goose Bay Road is currently closed to salmon fishing, sockeye salmon escapement numbers through the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Fish Creek Weir are showing an earlier start compared to the 2015 season. Through July 12, 1,297 sockeye salmon had already passed the Fish Creek Weir compared to only 42 sockeye salmon passing the weir through the same date in 2015. Sockeye salmon, pink salmon, and chum salmon are the next arrivals after the king salmon to provide angling opportunity in several Mat-Su Valley locations. Strong early numbers at Fish Creek have anglers thinking about a possible early opening for the Fish Creek personal use dip net fishery. About the earliest I would expect that might occur is July 20.

Cottonwood Creek sockeye salmon

Although I mentioned the small Cottonwood Creek fishery might provide some sockeye salmon action last weekend, Mike Hudson told me his son was at the creek last weekend and only saw a few fish far down in the tidal zone. With the increase in sockeye numbers through the Fish Creek weir, however, I would expect a corresponding increase in Cottonwood Creek sockeye salmon for this weekend’s sport fishery as well.

This is a weekend only fishery that is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Other Mat-Su Valley locations that provide significant July sockeye salmon fisheries include Eklutna Tailrace, Jim Creek, Larson Creek off the Talkeetna River, and Lake Creek off the Yentna River.

Early coho showing up throughout the Mat-Su Valley

I’ve heard of the first few coho salmon being taken at several Mat-Su Valley locations including Deshka River, Little Susitna River, Eklutna Tailrace. I expect some coho salmon were harvested along the Parks Highway tributary streams that opened July 14. Coho or silver salmon are the salmon most harvested by Mat-Su Valley sport fishermen and will be available in a large number of locations. It is no wonder that many anglers and businesses are hopeful for a good Mat-Su Valley silver salmon season in 2016. The coho salmon passage numbers through July 12 are 32 at Little Susitna River Weir, 18 at Deshka River Weir, and one at Fish Creek Weir, so while a few silver salmon will likely be taken this coming weekend at many Mat-Su Valley locations it will certainly only be a few fish in comparison to peak-of-the-run numbers that usually occur at the end of July through August depending upon the specific Mat-Su Valley location.

With July salmon just starting to show at most Mat-Su Valley locations I would expect relatively uncrowded fishing at most of the Valley’s more popular salmon fisheries, but also expect low catch rates as well. Still it could be a good weekend to enjoy some more relaxed salmon fishing.

Personal-use fishing on the Kenai

As mentioned in last week’s column, the Kenai River opened to personal-use dip netting for Alaska residents by permit. This weekend may be the busiest of the personal-use season on the Kenai, as early sockeye numbers entering that system have been good down on the Peninsula. Every year lots of Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage residents make a July trip to harvest some these large prime sockeye salmon. Some personal use fishermen also prefer to fish later in July as the number of participants in the fishery usually decreases later in the month providing a more enjoyable less crowded fish harvesting opportunity.

The Kenai River has also been experiencing a good showing of early July king salmon past the sonar counter, and from reports I’ve heard sport fishing for late-run Kenai king salmon has been better than the past couple years.

Fish on!

Andy Couch is a member of the Matanuska Valley Fish and Game Advisory Committee and the Matanuska Susitna Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission, and is a Mat-Su Valley salmon fishing guide.