5 Alaska Salmon Species targeted in July 2023 — King , Chum , Sockeye, Coho, and Pink Salmon

July provides an  opportunity to target 5 species of Pacific salmon native to Alaska’s Mat-Su Valley in a single month. We expect our guests to catch  king (Chinook), coho (silver), chum (dog), pink salmon, and (hopefully) a few sockeye (red) salmon during July 2023.  Most coho, chum, and pink salmon arrive after the first week of July.

Since July is the most popular month for Alaska visitors, and also provides opportunities to fish for five salmon species in the Mat-Su Valley, anglers are encouraged to make early reservations or call  for more information about our July Fishing Trips at 907-746-2199.    Note:  Although Numbers of all 5 species passing the Little Susitna River weir were low during the first half of July 2022 (last year), early and mid-July usually provides an opportunity to fish  Little Susitna and Deshka Rivers during a portion of the salmon season when fishing pressure is often lighter.  

July Alaska Fishing Reports 2023

Saturday July 1, 2023 — I drove to Fish Creek and tried to catch a salmon at a location I had not fished for several years.  I was joined by two additional anglers from Big Lake.  We saw about twenty salmon surface — or perhaps we watched one salmon surface about twenty times.   At any rate we were casting spinners and bait at the swirling salmon, but none of us managed to get bit.  We fished as the tide rose and then started to fall again, and suspected we were likely casting at a low number of sockeye salmon from the fact that no one could draw a strike.  It was encouraging to see some activity, however, and we enjoyed a beautiful sunny morning on the water.  Note:  At this time the lower end of Fish Creek is only open to sport salmon fishing on Saturdays and Sundays through July 14.

Little Su Water level at weir: 4.16 ft.   Below pass: 4.0 – 3.9 ft.

UCI Commercial: 115 Drift Permits reported harvesting 11,938 sockeye, 826 pink salmon, 301 chum, 14 coho, and 11 king salmon in an area-wide (except Chinitna Bay) opener.

Sunday July 2, 2023 — I guided an afternoon salmon fishing trip with 5 guests, one of whom caught a king salmon on a K14X Kwikfish.   That was the only bite I know of that my group had, although we back trolled lots of prime holes during the trip.   They saw a bald eagle fly low over the boat and another eagle soaring aways off.   They also saw some ducks and ducklings during the trip.

Little Su Water level at weir: 4.0 ft.    Below pass: 3.9 – 4.1 ft.

Monday July 3, 2023 —  I guided an early morning group of two men visiting Alaska .  One of them caught and released a good-sized king salmon which I estimated to weigh more than 20 pounds.   The fish was caught on a K14X Kwikfish.  The other guest had a couple strikes and briefly hooked a fish on a K13X Kwikfish — I did not get a for sure look at that fish before it came unhooked, but suspect it was a king salmon jack.  It rained heavily constantly during the first three hours of the trip and my guests decided to quit early soon after the king salmon was caught and released.   During the trip took pictures of a pair of bald eagles perched near the river.

Little Su Water level at weir:  4.0 ft.  Below pass: 3.9 – 4.o ft

After getting home from My guided trip I saw an announcement that the Alaska Department of Fish and Game issued an emergency order closing  Little Susitna River to king salmon fishing from July 6 — 13.   The river will remain open to fishing for other species.

Fish Creek Weir Installed — Alaska Department of Fish and Game staff installed the Fish Creek Weir off of Lewis Road today.  I expect sockeye salmon may be migrating upstream past the weir within the week.

UCI Commercial Harvests:  Today 141 drift permits reported harvesting 28,741 sockeye, 3,807 pink, 2,015 chum, 77 coho, and 2 king salmon.     Northern District set (8-hour period):  32 permits reported harvesting 339 sockeye, 28 pink, 5 king, 4 chum, and 1 coho salmon.    ADF&G edited Northern set net show 8 permits harvesting 257 sockeye, 25 pink, and 4 chum.

Tuesday July 4, 2023 — I guided a group of 4 guests on a Little Susitna River salmon fishing trip.  One of them caught a king salmon estimated at over 20 lbs on a K13X Kwikfish.  Another guest caught a rainbow trout on a K14X Kwikfish.  They fished miles of river both back trolling and casting spinners, and those were the only fish hooked.  During the trip they spotted some bald eagles in the distance, and saw several merganser ducks including some ducklings along the river.

Little Su Water level at weir: 4.0 ft.   Below pass: 3.8 – 4.0 ft.

Wednesday July 5, 2023 — I worked on restringing and mending a net.  Hopefully it is now better than new!

Little Susitna River water level at weir 3.9 ft. , below Pass: 3.8 – 3.6 ft.  

UCI Commercial Harvests:  143 Drift permit holders reported harvesting  29,153 sockeye,  9,749 pink, 2,919 chum,  2,333 coho, and 7 king salmon.  It would not surprise me if ADF&G edits these numbers.

Thursday July 6, 2023 –King Salmon fishing is now closed for the season at Little Susitna River.  I may not guide fishing trips on July 6, 7, 8, and 9 — but will start guiding salmon fishing trips for chum, coho, pink, and sockeye salmon on Monday July 10.

It is a rainy day and forecasted to rain for several days, so I will be water the Little Susitna River water level at the weir 3.6 ft., below Pass: 3.7 – 5.2 ft.

UCI Commercial Harvests:  146 Drift permit holders reported harvesting  34,672 sockeye,  9,504 pink, 2,363 chum,  333 coho, and 2 king salmon.

 Northern District set net: 12 permit holders reported harvesting  604 sockeye,  82 pink,  13 coho, and 11 king salmon.

Friday July 7, 2023 — My wife , I, and a couple friends went on an overnight mini-vacation and enjoyed some sunshine with temperatures into the 70s..

Little Susitna River water level at weir  3.7 ft., below Pass: 5.5 – 4.5 ft.

Saturday July 8, 2023 – my wife, our friends, and I put in a full day of fun and sun.  We returned home late.  Tomorrow will be time to clean up after our trip.

Little Susitna River water level at weir 4.8 ft., below Pass:  4.5 – 4.0 ft.

UCI Commercial Harvests:  195 Drift permit holders reported harvesting  69,996 sockeye,  8,629 chum,  6,530 pink, 904 coho, and 24 king salmon on Saturday.   During the past 8 days the drift fishery was allowed to fish 5 Area-wide openings (excluding Chinitna Bay), and have consequently intensely harvested salmon likely migrating to all parts of the Central and Northern District of Upper Cook Inlet during this time period.   

Sunday July 9, 2023 — Little Susitna River water level at weir  4.7 ft., below Pass: 4.0 – 3.8 ft.  

Monday July 10, 2023 — I guided a mom and her 14-year old son visiting Alaska from Illinois.  They caught one sockeye salmon, one rainbow trout, and two king salmon (which were released immediately without removing them from the water).  The water was high and muddy, so they back trolled the entire trip.  The sockeye salmon was caught on a K13X Kwikfish, the trout and both king salmon were caught on a Mag Lip Flatfish 4.0.   During the trip my guests saw some ducks and bald eagles.

Little Susitna River water level at weir 4.2 ft., below Pass: 4.0 – 3.8 ft.  

223 Drift permit holders reported harvesting  89,934 sockeye, 7,908 chum, 3,654 pink,  1,383 coho, and 9 king salmon.  Reported harvest was from Drift Gillnet Area #1 and the Expanded Kenai and Expanded Kasilof Sections.

17 Northern District set net permit holders reported harvesting 1,133 sockeye, 680 pink, 165 coho, 45 chum, and 1 king salmon. 

Tuesday July 11, 2023 — I wrote the Mat-Su Anglers Fishing column for the Friday July 14 Frontiersman Newspaper.

Little Susitna River water level at weir  4.0 ft., below Pass: 3.8 – 3.7 ft. 

Wednesday July 12, 2023 — I had a dental appointment in the morning, and then worked on fishing and boating gear .

Little Susitna River water level at weir 3.8 ft., below Pass: 3.8 – 3.7  ft. 

UCI Commercial:   15 Drift permit holders  harvested 171 sockeye, 95 pink, 91 chum, and 8 coho salmon from the Expanded Kasilof Section. 

Thursday July 13, 2023 — I guided a group of three anglers on Little Susitna River. They caught 1 king salmon jack on a #5 Vibrax Spinner and 1 rainbow trout on a Mag Lip Flatfish 4.0.  Although we fished miles of river we only saw 2 additional salmon surface during the trip.  We did see a bald eagle perched close to the river.  Water is till somewhat higher than normal for this time of year. We enjoyed a warm and sunny day on the river.

Little Susitna River water level at weir 3.6 ft., below Pass: 3.7 – 3.8 ft.  

UCI Commercial:   236 Drift permit holders harvested 206,507 sockeye, 8,896 chum, 3,485 pink, 2,303 coho, and 8 king salmon from Drift Gillnet Area #1, and the Expanded Kasilof and Expanded Kenai Sections.  

27 Northern District set net permit holders reported harvesting 925 sockeye, 1,431 pink, 581 coho, 131 chum, and 3 king salmon from 5 of the 9 Northern District statistical areas.  

Friday July 14, 2023 — I had a trip cancelled when one of the guests got sick beforehand, so I worked at getting my second guide boat and fishing gear ready to go.

Little Susitna River water level at weir 3.5 ft., below Pass: 3.7 – 3.8 ft.  To Be Updated.

Saturday July 15, 2023 — Eklutna Tailrace — I casted with a dozen different model custom-built spinning rods determining which rods to take on tomorrow’s guided salmon fishing trip.   While I was at the tailrace I saw a few salmon surface, and even felt a fish hit my spinner, but I was unable to hook it.   Also at the tailrace I was able to test  my new raincoat, and am happy to report it kept me good and dry — we’ll see how well it works tomorrow, when I will likely be boating into the rain.

Little Susitna River water level at weir 3.46 ft., below Pass: 3.7 – 5.1 ft.  To Be Updated.

Coho, Chum, Pink, and Sockeye Salmon Surging Our Way — Since Saturday July 8, the commercial drift gill netters have only been fishing south of Kalgin Island (Area 1) or in the Expanded Kenai or Expanded Kasilof  or Anchor Point Sections.   Because of a shortage of Kenai River sockeye escapement The Alaska Department of Fish and  Game (ADF&G) announced today that the drift fleet would only be fishing Area 1 and the Expanded Kasilof and Anchor point Sections on Monday July 17.  In addition to allowing sockeye escapement into the Kenai River this will allow  coho, chum, pink, and sockeye salmon to migrate into the Northern District of Upper Cook Inlet and into the rivers where we guide our salmon fishing charters.  Look for a dramatic uptick in salmon migrating past our salmon counting weirs in the coming week.  Fish On!

Sunday July 16, 2023 — COHO HO! and Pink Palooza — I guided a morning group of 5 guests who caught 2 king salmon (which were released without removing them from the water) the first silver (coho) salmon of the season from my boat, and a large number of pink salmon – including the first pink salmon of the season from my boat.  All of the salmon were caught while casting with #4 Vibrax Spinners.  During the trip we saw bald eagles and ducks.

I guided and fished with an afternoon group of 2 guests who caught 1 king salmon (released without removing from the water) and bunches of pink salmon.  Fish were caught on and #3 silver / black Flashtrap Spinner and #4 Vibrax Spinners.  It rained all day and the river was rising significantly.

Little Susitna River water level at weir 4.5 ft., below Hatcher Pass 5.1 – 4.7 ft. — To Be Updated.

Monday July 17, 2023 — I guided an afternoon group of a father and son visiting Alaska.  What a difference a day can make — the water had risen since yesterday, and we did not see near as many fish on this trip.  Each of my guests caught a couple legal hooked pink salmon, and also fought in some snagged pink salmon.   Two salmon that bit lures were caught on a #4 silver / black Flashtrap Spinner and the other two were caught on a #4 Vibrax Spinner.  We did see quite a few salmon surface right up against the brush today, and during the trip my guests got considerably better at placing their casts right next to the bank or brush — of course there were some too long casts that we had to pull out of the brush and trees.  That is simply a consequence of needing to cast very close because of high water.  Near the end of our trip it appeared to me that the water might be dropping.  During the trip my guests saw some bald eagles.   

Little Susitna River water level –flooded weir dangerously, so not measured at weir — below Pass: 4.8 – 4.3 ft.  

UCI Commercial:   242 Drift permit holders  harvested 158,473 sockeye, 12,007 chum,   3,929 coho, 3,604 pink, and 4 king salmon from Drift Gillnet Area #1, and the Expanded Kasilof and Anchor Point Sections.   

26 Northern District set net permit holders harvested 6,041 sockeye,  1,047 pink, 817 coho, and 135 chum salmon from 5 of the 9 Northern District statistical areas.  

Tuesday July 18, 2023 — I guided a father and son to Deshka River and they caught 2 rainbow trout , 2 king salmon, and some king salmon jacks.  All of the fish were caught on Fire Cured Salmon Roe.  All of the fish were released.  During the trip they saw some bald eagles along the river, and also saw what looked to be a decent numbers of pink salmon surfacing, but not biting.

Little Susitna River water level at flooded weir 6.0 ft  — below Pass: 4.3 – 4.0  ft.  

UCI Commercial:  133 Drift permit holders harvested 70,343 sockeye, 2,291pink, 1,603 chum, 758 coho, and 1 king salmon from  the Expanded Kenai, Expanded Kasilof and Anchor Point Sections.

Wednesday July 19, 2023 — I had a day off from guiding, so I took 3 people dip netting.  They caught sockeye, pink, chum, and coho salmon.  We filleted and iced  their salmon and it turned in to a longer-than-planned day on the water.

Little Susitna River water level at weir 5.5  ft., below Pass: 4.1 – 3.9 ft. 

Thursday July 20, 2023 — I guided 3 guests, each of whom caught and harvested a chum salmon.  One guest also caught and harvested a pink salmon, While another guest brought a sockeye salmon to the net, but it was snagged, so it was released.  One chum and the pink salmon were caught on a #5 silver /black Flashtrap Spinner. One chum was caught on a pink bladed Flashtrap Spinner, and the final chum was caught on a #5 Vibrax Spinner.     We saw ducks along the river during the trip.  

Little Susitna River water level at weir 5.0 ft., below Pass: 4.2 – 3.9 ft.

AF&G announced that the Fish Creek Personal Use Salmon Dip Net Fishery will open  at 6a.m. on Saturday July 22, 2023.   This fishery for Alaska residents will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily from July 22 — July 31.

UCI Commercial: 231 Drift permit holders  harvested  82,079 sockeye, 1,624 pink, 2,149 chum,  855 coho, and 5 king salmon from  the Expanded Kenai, Expanded Kasilof and Anchor Point Sections.

35 Northern District set net permit holders  harvested 5,183 sockeye,  1,809 pink,  1,550 coho,  and 76 chum salmon from 6 of the 9 Northern District statistical areas.  

Friday July 21, 2023 — I guided a morning group of 5 guests visiting from Texas, who caught 1 silver salmon, several chum salmon , a few pink salmon, 1 king salmon, and a rainbow trout.  The harvested the silver salmon and a chum salmon.   All of the fish were caught on #5 pink blade or silver blade /black body Flashtrap Spinners.  During the trip they saw bald eagles and ducks along the river.

I guided an afternoon group of 5 guests from Switzerland who caught 1 silver salmon, 2 chum salmon, 1 pink salmon, and a rainbow trout.  All of the fish were caught on #5 Flashtrap Spinners.  During the trip the second group also saw bald eagles and ducks along the river. 

Little Susitna water depth at weir not reported, below Hatcher Pass 4.0 – 3.8 ft. 

Saturday July 22, 2023 — I had the day off from guiding fishing trips and took  some friends and my wife on a personal use dip netting trip.  They caught some sockeye, pink, chum, and 2 coho salmon.  It was a beautiful day on the river and we saw a few bald eagles during the trip.

Little Susitna water depth at weir not reported, below Hatcher Pass  3.8 – 3.7 ft. 

Sunday July 23, 2022 — I guided a pleasant family group of 6 guests visiting from Idaho on a sunny weekend afternoon.   They wanted to target silver (coho) salmon so we headed down to catch part of the tide.  We only saw one fish surface in the tide zone and did nit get a single hookup until much later and miles back upriver one young woman caught a pink salmon, and another young woman caught a hard-fighting chum salmon.  Both salmon were caught on #5 Flashtrap Spinners, and released.  Water has dropped a bit, but still remains higher and muddier than normal for this time of year.  The was still partially submerged by the river depth.  During the trip the guests saw bald eagles and ducks along the river.

Little Susitna water depth at weir 4.3 ft., below Hatcher Pass  3.8 – 3.7 ft. 

Monday July 24, 2023 — I guided morning group of 3 guests, one of whom harvested a chum salmon and 2 coho salmon.   A second guest caught and released a pink salmon and a chum salmon while the third guest caught and released a rainbow trout.  All of the fish were caught on #5 Flashtrap Spinners.  During the trip my guests saw some ducks.

I guided an afternoon group of 4 women who harvested one chum salmon, but also caught and released another chum salmon and some pink salmon all of the fish ere caught on #5 Flashtrap Spinners,  During the trip they spotted ducks and bald eagles along the river.

Little Susitna water depth at weir 4.1 ft., below Hatcher Pass 3.7 – 3.6  ft. 

UCI Commercial: Drift permit holders harvested  sockeye,  pink,  chum,  coho, and  king salmon from  the Expanded Kenai, Expanded Kasilof and Anchor Point Sections.

33 Northern District set net permit holders  harvested 5,879 sockeye, 2,334 coho,  612 chum salmon and 286 pink salmon from 6 of the 9 Northern District statistical areas.

Tuesday July 25, 2023 — I guided a man and his 8-year old daughter, each of whom caught and harvested a limit of salmon.   The daughter caught one silver salmon and 2 chum salmon which she kept, while the father caught and harvested 3 chum salmon.  In addition they also caught and released some pink salmon before harvesting their limits. all of the fish were caught by back trolling plugs. 

I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, who harvested 1 coho  salmon and 7 chum salmon, but also caught and released several other pink and chum salmon. In addition they also caught 2 rainbow trout.  All of the fish were caught by back trolling with small plugs.

Little Susitna water depth at weir 3.9 ft., below Hatcher Pass 3.7 – 3.6  ft.

Wednesday, July 26, 2023 — I had a day off from guiding fishing trips, and took family and friends on a personal use dip netting trip.   Everyone caught plenty of salmon and had a good, but long day.

Little Susitna water depth at weir 3.8 ft., below Hatcher Pass  3.6 – 3.5 ft. 

Thursday, July 27, 2023 — I guided a morning group of 4 guests who harvested 5 chum salmon, 2 coho salmon, and 1 sockeye salmon.  In addition they also caught and released more chum salmon and some pink salmon.  All of the fish were caught by casting with #5 Flashtrap Spinners.  using the trip we saw ducks along the river.

I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, each of whom hooked salmon, but only 3 chum salmon were harvested.  They also released a pink salmon and a rainbow trout that they caught.  all 0f the fish were by casting with #5 Flashtrap Spinners.   During the trip the guests saw ducks and a bald eagle.

Little Susitna water depth at weir 3.6 ft., below Hatcher Pass 3.5 – 3.4  ft. 

UCI Commercial: 223 Drift permit holders harvested 38,992 sockeye,  3,896 chum,  1,600 coho, 879 pink,  and  2  king salmon from  the Expanded Kenai, Expanded Kasilof and Anchor Point Sections.

38 Northern District set net permit holders  harvested 10,599 sockeye, 2,959 coho,  673 chum salmon, and 266 pink, from 7 of the 9 Northern District statistical areas.

Friday, July 28, 2023 — I guided an Alaskan and her two guests from Washington state.  They caught and harvested 5 coho salmon and 1 chum salmon.  They also caught and released some pink salmon.   All of the salmon were caught by casting #5 Flashtrap Spinners.  During the trip they saw a bald eagle and ducks along the river.

Little Susitna water depth at weir 3.6 ft., below Hatcher Pass 3.4 – 3.3  ft. 

Saturday July 29, 2023 — Day off from guiding.  I took a nephew, and 3 Mat-Su Borough employees dip netting.   They each caught some fish — primarily sockeye salmon.

Little Susitna water depth at weir 3.4 ft., below Hatcher Pass  3.3 ft. 

Sunday July 30, 2023 — I guided a later morning group of 5 guests who harvested 4 coho salmon while casting with #5 Flashtrap Spinners.

Little Susitna water depth at weir not reported, below Hatcher Pass 3.3 ft. 

Monday July 31, 2023 — The last day of the Fish Creek Personal Use Dip Net Fishery. fishery was busy along Knik Goose Bay Road before it closed for the season at 11 pm.  

I guided a morning family group of 3 people interested in catch and release salmon fishing.  Each member of the group caught and released multiple chum and pink salmon on small plugs.

I guided an afternoon group of 4 guests, who caught and harvested 1 chum salmon and 2 coho salmon while casting with #5 Flashtrap Spinners.

Little Susitna water depth at weir not reported, below Hatcher Pass 3.3 ft. 

Little Susitna River Weir Counts through July 15: Chinook salmon 737 — sockeye salmon 516 —chum salmon 227 — pink salmon 49 — coho salmon 2 —  

Little Susitna River Weir Counts through July 31:  chum salmon 8,869 — pink salmon 6,111 — coho salmon 1,130 — sockeye salmon 778 — Chinook salmon 785

Note: weir was underwater for 8 days with no salmon counts from June 22 – 29 and  for 6 days with no salmon counts from July 17 – 22 in 2023.  

For our next Fishing Report go to our August 2023 Alaska Fishing Reports page