Susitna River drainage open to bait, multiple hooks July 14

With no legal sport king salmon harvest allowed for the entire season on the Susitna River drainage, sport anglers will enjoy the opportunity to fish with bait and multiple hooks on some Susitna River drainage waters starting on July 14. When I talked with Marilynn Rouswell at Susitna Landing (Mile 82.5 Parks Highway) she reported not knowing when the last person had fished at Susitna Landing, but she was excited that anglers would have the opportunity to fish with bait starting on Saturday. In the often glacial-occluded waters at this location, the opportunity to use bait can be key to catching fish, and I suspect at least a few anglers will be out trying their luck on Saturday.

The confluence areas of Willow Creek, Little Willow Creek, Sheep Creek, and Montana Creek should all likely see some salmon anglers out trying their luck this weekend, as should the Deshka River. I have not heard of anyone catching silver salmon, yet from these locations, but I would expect a few to be caught this weekend and most likely at Deshka River , Willow Creek, and Little Willow Creek (the Susitna River tributaries lower in the drainage). I would also expect anglers to catch even more chum salmon and pink salmon from some of these locations. Salmon numbers in these locations are low at this time. I suggest anglers review fishing regulations before venturing to new waters, as portions of these waters along the Parks Highway tributary streams remain restricted to single hook artificial lures only.

Fish Creek sockeye salmon numbers

Although Fish Creek out Knik-Goose Bay Road is currently closed to both sport and personal use fishing, the Alaska Department of Fish & Game is counting sockeye salmon through the Fish Creek Weir.

At this time the largest department July counts I know of in the Mat-Su Valley have occurred at Fish Creek with a total of 2,589 sockeye salmon counted on July 9 and 10. The department had a large preseason sockeye salmon projection for Fish Creek, so if those strong weir count numbers build and continue through the weir, the Fish Creek Personal Use Dip Net Fishery could open earlier than has occurred in the recent past.

Cottonwood Creek: Open sockeye salmon fishery

Speaking of sockeye salmon, this small location at times can provide one of the better opportunities to catch sockeye salmon from the road system. The legal fishing area is small and located primarily in the tidal flats, so it can be quite muddy. With the location in the tidal flat this area has early in the season Mat-Su salmon catching opportunity. This is a weekend only and hour restricted fishery so check the fishing regulations before you go.

Eklutna Tailrace: Easy access to four salmon species

I drove to the tailrace for a half hour of casting on Tuesday, however, the tailrace and Knik River water were the highest I had seen while fishing at this location.

While I was there I did not see anyone hook a fish, although there was a fair amount of anglers out trying. The king salmon fishery remains open at this location, and A.J. Hoffman of 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle told me he had heard a report of both an early sockeye salmon and an early silver salmon being caught from this location last Saturday. Fishing is currently slow, but there is the potential to catch king salmon, sockeye salmon, sliver salmon, and chum salmon. With the higher murky waters salmon roe seems to be the bait of choice.

Jim Creek

Located up the Knik River in the Butte area the mouth of Jim Creek is know for sockeye salmon and coho salmon fishing. Depending upon the Knik River height the popular area near the confluence of Jim Creek and the Knik River may be flooded at this time. Fish numbers are likely quite limited for the coming weekend. Weir counts may start to become available after the weekend.

Little Susitna River

Through July 10, ADF&G had counted 88 sockeye salmon and 49 chum salmon through the Little Susitna River weir, but no coho salmon and no pink salmon. Water was high and muddy through Tuesday, but could drop into better shape by this weekend. Note: this river is restricted to artificial lures through August 5, and most of the fish at this time are located in the lower river near the Little Susitna River Public Use Facility.

Andy Couch is owner/guide of Fishtale River Guide. You may read his daily fishing reports at http://www.fish4salmon.com