We guide ice fishing trips on Matanuska Valley lakes during late – November, December, January, February and March. Guests catch rainbow trout, landlocked salmon, and Arctic Char and the trip is easily done in as a day excursion from the Anchorage, Palmer, and Wasilla areas.
December 1, 2020 — I’ve been building custom fishing rods for summer fishing — but also have several custom ice fishing rods I hope to get at before long. I guided a few ice fishing trips in November in which guests caught primarily rainbow trout. I am currently available most dates in December to guide fishing trips at this time. Give us a call at 907-746-2199 — to learn more.
December 2, 2020 — I talked with Alaska Director of Sport Fisheries Dave Rutz over the phone today about salmon fishing regulations for 2021. Dave told me he would run my ideas past ADF&G staff. I also attended a teleconference meeting for the Matanuska Valley Fish and Game Advisory Committee in which we worked on game proposals that will be heard by the Alaska Board of Game sometime in the winter of 2021.
December 3, 2020 — I heard back from Alaska Director of Sport Fisheries Dave Rutz — that he had developed COVID and would be out of action for the next 10 – 12 days. I also wrapped and finished a fishing rod, and glued handles on 3 other custom fishing rods I am in the processes of building.
December 4, 2020 — I wrapped guides and finished one fishing rod today and hope to wrap and finish another rod this evening. Weather is warming up which should make ice fishing better over the next few days.
Tuesday December 8, 2020 — I’ve been building a set of custom ice fishing rods the past 3 days — for use by guests on our guided ice fishing trips — today I completed an entire set. I may build more in the future, however, I have enough to guide large groups of up 6-8 people at this time. Most of my trips are for groups of 2- 4 guests. The next two days I have guided ice fishing trips scheduled, so check back to read the fishing reports and learn what we catch.
December 9, 2020 — I guided a group of 2 people on an ice fishing trip to a Mat-Su Valley late today. They each caught and released several fish before keeping limits of rainbow trout. All of the fish were caught by fishing Pautzke’s Balls O’Fire salmon eggs on a single hook near the lake bottom. Ice depth was about a foot thick. During the trip we saw another group out fishing on the lake and having some luck as well. Temperature was about 30* when I headed out to start the trip and remained relatively warm throughout the trip, however, there was a wind cooling things off down on the lake. Check back tomorrow for our next ice fishing report.
December 10, 2020 – I guided two guests on an ice fishing trip today, and the fishing was even better than yesterday. My two guests are brothers who had the opportunity to experience ice fishing for the first time. They caught and released several rainbow trout each, and also ended up keeping limits of trout. Alth0ugh it was 20* when I left the house today and a bit colder, it seemed warmer out on the lake as there was no breeze today. Each of my guests drilled a couple holes and I also drilled a few as we fished 4 different spots and they each caught multiple fish from 3 spots. Each limit of fish was caught on Balls O’Fire salmon eggs. During the trip we saw an eagle near the lake.
I currently have good availability to guide ice fishing trips during December. Give us a call at 907-746-2199 if you would like to catch some colorful rainbow trout through the ice.
December 12, 2020 — I delivered a few custom fishing rods in tie for Christmas, and picked up some new dip nets for next summer.
Monday December 14, 2020 — I WAS scheduled for an ice fishing trip, however, after seeing how hard the wind was blowing near where we were planning to fish my guest decided we should reschedule on a better weather day.
Saturday December 19, 2020 — I guided a man and his 20-year old daughter on their first ice fishing trip and they had a great time. Each of them released several rainbow trout and also kept a limit of trout. All of the fish were caught on Pautzke’s Balls O’ Fire salmon eggs fished just up from the bottom. Fishing was quite good with trout biting frequently enough that we only fished on spot. Near the end of the trip we saw a bald eagle flying near the lake. Ice depth seemed to be between 12 – 18 inches — plenty strong and solid. Weather was about 20 degrees with little or no wind. Very good conditions. I am scheduled to guide a trip again tomorrow — check back in the evening if you would like to read the fishing report update.
Sunday December 20, 2020 — I guided a group of 4 men, who had a great time catching rainbow trout. Each guest harvested a limit of larger fish by releasing some smaller trout before keeping the larger ones. All of the fish were caught by fishing Balls O’Fire salmon eggs just above the bottom. Several times during this trip all 4 of my guests had a fish hooked at the same time. It can not get much better than that.
Tuesday December 22, 2020 — I had a guided ice fishing trip scheduled for this morning, however, it is currently raining and the wind is blowing very hard, so I consulted with my group and they decided to wait for a better weather opportunity.
Saturday December 26, 2020 — I guided two 8-year old boys and their mother — with dad and granddad coming along to help out, give encouragement, and take pictures. My 3 anglers all caught and released several rainbow trout, while only keeping one trout each. Once again all of the fish were caught by fishing Balls O’Fire salmon eggs about a foot off the bottom of the lake. During the trip we saw a bald eagle flying near the lake.
Monday December 28, 2020 — I purchased a couple spinning reels at the Sportsman’s Warehouse in Wasilla. I found a 1000 Daiwa Regal LT that should be a small quality ice fishing reel for one of my custom ice rods. In addition I thought the 2500 size of the same reel would be nice for summer trout fishing / and or salmon fishing with light line. Earlier I also ordered up some small ice fishing jigs that should arrive in the mail sometime this week.
Tuesday December 29, 2020 — I guided a group of 2 visitors, and we fished a few hours before getting the first good bite. Fishing was much slower than it had been, but all of a sudden the trout turned on and started biting. One of my guests kept a limit of rainbows and the other kept a couple. All of the fish were caught on Pautzke’s Balls O’Fire salmon eggs fished on a single hook about a foot off the bottom. During the trip we saw a few eagles flying near the lake.
Wednesday December 30, 2020 — I went fishing with Ben Allen (owner of Miller’s Riverboat Service) and a friend of his today. We fished a location I had not tried yet this year and caught rainbow trout, landlocked salmon, and Arctic char. All of my fish were caught on Balls O’Fire salmon eggs, while Ben and his friend caught fish on both salmon eggs and small spoons which they jigged near the bottom. Ice was only about a foot thick on this lake, but we still saw bald eagles nearby as we fished.
Thursday December 31, 2020 — Ben Allen and I took a group of 5 people ice fishing today and all of them caught several fish. Our guests caught mostly landlocked salmon and rainbow trout, but also a few Arctic char. There were several other groups of people out ice fishing — we only saw one single bald eagle today. Our guests caught fish on Pautzke’s Balls O’Fire salmon eggs, shrimp, a spoon and a jig. Temperatures are starting to drop as the weather report is calling for clear and colder weather for the next few days.
Please call 907-746-2199 — if you would like to discuss a fishing trip or make a reservation.