Rosy Labor Day salmon fishing

Through Wednesday, for the past week everyone I’ve fished with has hooked and caught at least one silver salmon. Most have caught and harvested a limit of silver salmon, which is a stark contrast to the 2016 season when I was lucky if my guests caught one to three silver salmon per trip, no matter how many guests were in my boat in late August. To keep a limit of silver salmon, during the first week of September, most Mat-Su Valley anglers may need to harvest at least one or more fish with a blush of rosy or dark color to them. Remember also that the Department of Fish and Game earlier increased the coho (silver) salmon limit to four fish per person on all waters of the Susitna River drainage open to salmon fishing, and also at Fish Creek, Cottonwood Creek, and Wasilla Creek (Rabbit Slough) in those waters open to salmon fishing.

Bait fishing

Bait fishing is no longer allowed on the Susitna River drainage starting Friday Sept. 1. So if you are planning on fishing north along the Susitna River drainage leave the salmon eggs at home starting Friday.

Knik Arm drainages including the Little Susitna River (which was opened earlier to bait fishing by emergency order starting on the evening of Aug. 23) remain open to bait fishing. It is always a good idea to check regulations before venturing to new destinations.

Little Susitna River

Most silver salmon are now above the weir, but lower numbers of higher quality fish continue to migrate through the lower river, and decent fishing below the Little Susitna River Public Use Facility should continue for the coming week as along as the water level remains fairly low. A large increase in water volume would likely increase salmon migration speed and make it difficult to find silvers in the lower river. The limit remains at two coho per angler at this location. In addition to salmon anglers, expect to see numbers of moose hunters, and waterfowl hunters at Little Susitna River this weekend.

Jim Creek

Decent numbers of coho salmon have been passing the Jim Creek weir and this particular fishery can provide opportunity to catch chrome bright fish (that are likely migrating further up the Knik River). For a greater opportunity to catch chrome fish consider fishing near the Jim Creek/Knik River confluence. The fishery is open from Wednesday through Sunday of each week. The coho salmon limit is two per person.

Eklutna Tailrace

I have not heard much from the tailrace fishery concerning coho salmon this year, however, from past experience I know at times there can be significant numbers of September coho salmon at this location. Fishing success is often better in the morning and evening. This is a close fishery for those in the Palmer/Wasilla area, which is open 24 hours per day and seven days per week. The coho salmon limit at this location is three per person, as it is assumed most of the fish harvested at this location are of hatchery origin.

Parks Highway streams

Significant numbers of coho salmon should remain available at several Susitna River tributary streams between Willow and Talkeetna, and further north as well. My lure of choice is an inline spinner like a Vibrax, Mepps, or Flashtrap. Depending upon water volume and clarity I’ve caught salmon on spinner sizes two to five.

The smaller sizes work best in lower clearer water conditions where the larger lures may spook rather than catch the salmon. When the water is higher and dirtier the larger sized lures can get down closer to bottom and attract a salmon’s attention from a larger distance. Flies are also popular this time of year for both salmon and trout. On Wednesday Marilynn Rouswell at Susitna Landing reported that anglers had been having good luck catching silver salmon this week, and she was expecting a fair amount of campers and boaters both hunting and fishing out of the landing this weekend.

Willow Creek, Sheep Creek, and Montana Creek near their confluences with the Susitna River are three other popular options along the Parks Highway.

Deshka River

While the large surge of upstream salmon migration is over, fair numbers of coho salmon continue passing the Deshka River weir on a daily basis. If you have ever wondered what fishing the Deshka would be like with low competition from other anglers this should be a good weekend to find out. When water levels start dropping in the fall the lower Deshka can also provide good trout and grayling fishing.

If I was fishing the Deshka River this weekend I would expect to see more moose hunters than anglers.

After Labor Day Weekend

In the coming week after the holiday weekend, I would expect to see even lower numbers of anglers. Some prefer fishing this this time of year, simply because of the near solitary fishing conditions.

Good Luck and fish on!

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