July 2026 Alaska Fishing Reports
This young man caught his first ocean-fresh coho salmon from Little Susitna River on a July 10 charter.
July is the month when our guests catch all 5 species of Alaska salmon. It is rare for a person to catch all 5 species on the same trip, but it is possible — and especially around mid-July. King salmon fishing and harvest reman open year round at the Knik River side-channel (although king salmon catching usually slows down considerably in July). For 2026 king salmon fishing has been closed on both the Little Susitna River and Deshka River, however, there should be solid numbers of other salmon to catch at both of these location during July. Bait fishing is open all year in the Knik River drainage and opens on July 14 in the Susitna River drainage, so we have those bait options available for anglers who prefer using bait for salmon. Little Susitna River is restricted to artificial lures through August 5, but the cooler water temperatures of Little Susitna River, during July, and the presence of all 5 salmon species often make it a top choice for salmon catching the entire month.
During July, king salmon are in largest abundance early in the month, although the only location we are allowed to fish for and harvest king salmon this year is the Eklutna Tailrace / Knik River side-channel fishery. Sockeye salmon are available during the entire month of July at Little Susitna River and Knik River, but often with greater availability during the later half of the month. Chum salmon can be available during the entire month of July at Little Susitna River — with larger abundances of chum salmon starting about July 20. Pink salmon can show up in large numbers early in July — and particularly at Deshka River (where the bonus pink salmon limit is 6 per day) — on Little Susitna River the greatest pink salmon abundance is often during the last 10 days of July. Our guests have also caught a few pink salmon at the Knik River side-channel. Our guests have caught a few early coho on Little Susitna in late June and on the Deshka River during the first week of July, and while coh0 may be caught at any time in July, more consistent coho catches occur after July 20 and throughout August. Note: any ocean-run king salmon inadvertently caught while fishing Mat-Su Valley locations other than Eklutna Tailrace / Knik River side-channel during the 2026 season may not be removed from the water, and must be released immediately.
Significant Date: July 14 – Bait fishing opens at Deshka River, and other Susitna River locations. Fishing with multiple hooks also becomes legal at many Susitna River drainage locations and Little Susitna River. Little Sustina River –remains restricted to fishing with artificial lures only.
Scroll Down for the most recent July 2026 Fishing Report Update (starting approximately July 1):
Wednesday July 22, 2027 — my wife, 3 friends and I intended to go on a dip netting trip to the lower Susitna River today, however due to extremely high water levels on the Yentna River and the amount of debris it carries down the river into the dip netting area we made the dec vision to cancel our trip. I caught up on some non fishing chores instead today.
Tuesday July 21, 2026 — I guided a 10 a.m. group of 5 guest on a very turbid river, and one guest caught a sockeye salmon by fishing Fire Cured salmon roe behind a jet diver. The water was high and fast in many places today. We fished around and found some salmon, but could not coax many to bite in the muddy water.
In the evening I wrote the at-Su Anglers column for the July 23, 2026 Mat-Su Sentinel.
Monday July 20, 2026 — Sorry about the delay on this report — I guided a 7 a.m. group of 4 guest who fished with bait and had a few bites, but did not manage to catch a salmon. The water was rising and getting more turbid after our recent rains. It was a wet and cool trip.
I guide a 12 noon group of 4 guests who caught 2 sockeye salmon by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under bobbers. The weather improved with less rain and warmer temperatures in the afternoon.
The Little Susitna River Weir and Judd Lake weirs flooded today. Deshka River Weir remains flooded since July 13. Jim Creek weir was installed today.
Sunday July 19, 2026 — I guided a 10 a.m. group of 3 guests on a salmon fishing trip, and each of them caught a salmon. They caught 5 sockeye salmon and 1 chum salmon. All of the fish were caught by drifting Fire Cured salmon roe enhanced with Fire Power (pure krill). They drifted the bait under floats and one guest also hooked a salmon while fishing the bait behind a jet diver. We saw several salmon surfacing during this trip. The guests also spotted and took pictures of a pair of bald eagles perched above the river. The water was in good shape.
The Fish Creek Personal Use Dip Net Fishery opened today 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily from July 17 – 31. A Personal Use Dip Net Permit is required for Alaskan residents to participate.
Saturday July 18, 2026 — I took a family / friends dip netting to the lower Susitna River today. Fishing was slow, but working from my boat 3 people managed to catch and harvest 9 salmon (7 sockeye, 1 chum, and 1 coho). We saw a few bald eagles along the river, along with several other groups of dip netters operating from boats. The river was high and gravel bars were underwater, so we did not see any dip netters landing small airplanes to dip along the river.
Friday July 17, 2026 — I guided a family group of 4 with two young girls on an 8 a.m. salmon fishing trip. The parents prioritized having their daughters catch fish — and each of the girls caught a sockeye salmon, while the dad caught a king salmon. Everyone had a few bites with the king salmon and one sockeye salmon caught while drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under bobbers. The other sockeye was caught by fishing Fire Cured salmon roe behind a jet diver. The guest saw bald eagles along the river during their trip.
Fish Creek Personal Use Dip Net Fishery to Open at 6 a.m. for Alaska residents on Sunday July 19 — ADF&G issued the Emergency Order today.
Thursday July 16, 2026 — I guided a group of 4 men on a 5 a.m. salmon fishing charter. They fished plenty of spots, but the water was high and dark colored. We saw a few salmon surface in one spot, but did not hook any fish, I suspect those salmon were either sockeye or pink salmon. Near the end of the trip one guest caught a king salmon on a #5 Vibrax Spinner. The king salmon was released without removing it from the water, and the anglers fished with renewed enthusiasm, but that was the only salmon hooked during the trip. From looking at the USGS water data from further upstream I expect the water will be even high tomorrow.
Wednesday July 15 — Tentative installation day for the Jim Creek salmon counting weir by ADF&G. The Larson Lake weir (sockeye) was installed today. Chelatna Lake weir (sockeye) was also scheduled to be installed by ADF&G this week, but installation n has been delayed by high water levels..
I picked up a couple motor parts that Alaska Frontier Fabrication had ordered for me — saving me a trip to Anchorage.
I drove to Eklutna Tailrace today, and quickly noticed someone had a sockeye salmon on a stringer near the fish cleaning table. I spent about 45 minutes casting and observing. During that time I saw around 10 salmon surface (all of which looked to likely be sockeye salmon). Neither I nor anyone else hooked any fish while I was observing. The Knik River water was high and more muddy because of the past couple days of rain. Water level at the tailrace was high and backed up by the high water in the river. There was 13 vehicles in the parking lot when I decided to come home.
Tuesday July 14, 2026 — Dustin Slinker (the bait shack) posted the first photo of a coho salmon taken at Ship Creek in 2026. I researched, wrote, and submitted my Mat-Su Anglers fishing column to be posted in the July 16, 2026 Mat-Su Sentinel online NEWS.
Monday July 13, 2026 — I had a day off from guiding salmon fishing trips.
Sunday July 12, 2026 — I guided a 6a.m. group of 4 people on a salmon fishing trip, and one of them caught a sockeye salmon while drifting Fire cured salmon. roe under a bobber. The same guest also hooked, but lost a second salmon. During the trip I saw a single salmon surface. It was a wet morning, but an enjoyable group of anglers. The river was up a bit, possibly from rain overnight.
Note: Opening Day for bait and multiple hook fishing on the Susitna River drainage is Tuesday July 14. I have not been salmon fishing at Deshka River in 2026, but my guide boat is available and I am interested in running a morning group of anglers to the Deshka on Tuesday. Give me a call (evenings are best) if interested in a Deshka River charter on July 14. There could be coho and pink salmon available. 907-746-2199
Saturday July 11, 2026 — I guided a 6 a.m. family group from Texas a salmon fishing trip, and one of them caught a sockeye salmon while drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under a bobber. During the trip we could hear bald eagles calling along the river. I also saw 3 salmon surface during the trip.
ADF&G counted the first chum salmon of 2026 migrating past Little Susitna River weir today.
Friday July 10, 2026 — I guided a 6 a.m. group of 4 guests, who caught and released 2 king salmon and 1 rainbow trout. Each of the fish was caught on small plugs with a 1/2 inch gap single hook. It was a beautiful sunny morning, and the water was up a bit and darker colored. We enjoyed a beautiful sunny morning on the water although it was a bit cool for my visitors.
I guided an 11 a.m. group of 5 guests, who fished diligently, but only one of them was able to draw a couple strikes, and he did not hook up. During the trip we saw several bald eagles, and enjoyed a warm sunny afternoon on the river. I saw one salmon surface today. I saw one salmon surface today, while I was at the boat launch area before starting my trip.
Thursday July 9, 2026 — I guided a 6 a.m. father and son salmon fishing trip. The son caught 2 rainbow trout and a jack king salmon on small plugs, while the father had a couple bites, but did not hook a fish. It was a wet and cool trip this morning.
I guided an 11 a.m. husband and wife group on a salmon fishing trip. The husband had the only strike and caught 1 large chum salmon which he harvested. This was the first chum salmon for 2026 taken by one of my guests. The water remained nice, but was rising in the afternoon.
Wednesday July 8, 2026 — I guided a 6 a.m. group of 5 guests who harvested 1 sockeye salmon, 1 coho salmon, and caught and released some jack king salmon, king salmon, and rainbow trout. The coho was the first taken by one of my guests in 2026. All of the fish were caught on small single hook plugs.
I guided a 12 noon group of 4 guests who caught 1 rainbow trout and 1 king salmon while fishing with small single hook plugs. The king salmon was released without removing it from the water.
Tuesday July 7, 2026 — I finished writing and submitted my fishing column.
Monday July 6, 2026 — I am taking the day off from guiding to get some other things done. Including starting my fishing column for the Mat-Su Sentinel.
Sunday July 5, 2026 — I guided a group 0f 4 men on an 8 a.m. trip, who caught a nice rainbow trout, some jack kings, and a few larger kings. On the fish were caught on small plugs with 1/2 inch gap single hooks, and all were released. During the trip we saw some ducks and bald eagles along the river.
I guided a group of 3 men in the afternoon who caught 2 rainbow trout, some jack kings and some larger kings on small single-hook plugs. Once gain all of theft were released. During the trip new saw a duck and ducklings along the river. We covered miles of water, but could not find any other salmon we could catch.
Saturday July 4, 2026– I guided two young men from Minnesota on a 7 a.m. guided salmon fishing trip, in which we were looking for chum and sockeye salmon, but they caught 2 king salmon and 3 jack king salmon on single hook plugs. All the fish were released without removing them from the water. During the trip we saw a few salmon surface, but did not manage to catch fish where we saw them surface. My guests had a few additional bites, and briefly hooked a few other fish, but we did not know if there were any other fish species hooked. Water remained higher and somewhat turbid. We saw several other groups out boating along the river.
Friday July 3, 2026 — I guided a 5 a.m. group of 4 guests who fished diligently the entire trip, and had a few bites, but were unable to hook any salmon. We saw a few fish surface during the trip, and fished where we saw the fish rising, but that did not help us either. The guests spotted a large bald eagle along the river while they were fishing. We fished Fire Cured salmon roe the entire trip.
I guided an 11 a.m. group of 4 guests, who tried for a couple hours without any action. One of them got cold and they decided to call it a trip. During the afternoon I saw another boat of anglers fighting a salmon, which they lost before the could net it. and I also saw a group of anglers that had landed a smallish salmon as well. Water level had dropped and cleared up a bit from the last time I had fished here.
Thursday July 2, 2026 — The Alaska Department of Fish and Game was installing the Fish Creek salmon counting weir today. I do not know if any data may be posted before the July 4th Holiday Weekend, however several daily counts should at least be posted by Tuesday July 7 on the ADF&G website.
I had the day off from guiding fishing trips, so I made a shopping trip to Anchorage with my wife, and after returning home we grilled some brats and enjoyed a beautiful and comfortable evening at home.
Wednesday July 1, 2026 — I guided a married couple from Georgia on a salmon fishing trip, and one of them hooked and fought what I thought was a small king salmon to the boat, but the hook came out before we had a chance to land the fish. The fish was hokked on Fire Cured salmon roe. That was the only bite they had during the trip, We did have a yearling bull moose cross the river right below our boat, and we also saw 3 bald eagles during the trip.
NOTE: Ship Creek in Anchorage will be Closed To All Sport Fishing downstream from the cable 100 feet below the Church Power Plant Dam from Friday July 3 — July 13, following to an Emergency Order issued July 1, 2026 by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). “Recent stream surveys indicate that king salmon returns are tracking below levels needed to confidently meet hatchery broodstock goals,” stated Area Management Biologist Brittany Blain-Roth. “Broodstock goals for Ship Creek include broodstock for other fisheries throughout Southcentral Alaska. ”
The Northern District Salmon Management Plan for Upper Cook Inlet directs the Department:
(b) The department shall manage the Northern District commercial salmon fisheries based on the abundance of sockeye salmon counted through the weirs on Larson, Chelatna, and Judd Lakes, and based on the abundance of king and coho salmon counted through the Little Susitna River weir or other salmon abundance indices as the department deems appropriate.
Weir -measured salmon abundances at Little Susitna River through June 30, 2026 are 67 king salmon with a Sustainable Escapement Goal (SEG) of 2,100 – 4,300 as posted on the ADF&G website. In addition the only Northern District sockeye salmon enumerated by a weir count through June 30 is a measly 57 sockeye as measured at Little Susitna River Weir. The Northern District commercial set net fishery opened on Monday June 29 under standard regulations without any further ADF&G restrictions on fishing time or area. With documented extremely low salmon abundances, and with Little Susitna River king salmon failing to reach SEG levels in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 how does ADF&G’s commercial management at this time meet the Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF) adopted standard enshrined in the Northern District Salmon Management Plan? How does allowing standard commercial fishing throughout all of Northern Cook Inlet help reach king salmon broodstock needs at Ship Creek?