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):

See our August 2026 Alaska Fishing Reports page for our next update.

Friday July 31, 2026 — I guided a 10 a.m. group of 3 anglers from Minnesota on a salmon fishing trip. Their objective was to fish and entire trip (primarily catch and release), but perhaps harvest a couple salmon during the trip. The ended up harvesting 3 beautiful coho salmon, while catching and releasing several chum and pink salmon. All of the salmon were caught on #5 Flashtrap Spinners and small diving plugs.

August 1 & 2 will be Youth sport fishing days at Fish Creek allowing anglers less than 16 years old a great opportunity to harvest an abundance of salmon without competing with adults. Fishing hours are 5 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily.

This is the last day of Personal Use Dip Netting at Fish Creek for the 2026 season. Dipping has been particularly good at this locations recently — as have sockeye salmon passage numbers through the Fish Creek weir upstream of the dip netting area.

Thursday July 30, 2026 — I guided a 10 a.m. group that included a great grandfather, a grandfather, a father, a daughter all form the same family on a salmon fishing trip. Everyone caught and harvested a salmon including 3 coho salmon and 1 chum salmon. In addition they also caught and released multiple chum and pink salmon. The salmon were caught on small diving plugs and #5 Flashtrap Spinners. During the trip we saw a bald eagle along the river where we started fishing. The water remains high, but is continuing to drop.

Edited: ADF&G listed Little Susitna Weir as counting fish again — for the first time since being flooded on July 20. The first counted coho salmon of 2026 (132 fish) passed Little Susitna Weir today, along with 350 chum salmon, 131 sockeye salmon, 30 pink salmon, and 2 king salmon. Also the first 3 sockeye of 2026 were counted through Larson Lake Weir today.

Mat-Su Weirs NOT counting salmon: Deshka River (7-15), and Larson Lake (7-21) Weirs following high water events. Chelatna Lake Weir has not been installed because of high water.

Wednesday July 29, 2026 — I guided 4 men from Florida on a 5:30 a.m. salmon fishing trip. They caught and harvested 2 coho salmon and 6 chum salmon, while also catching and releasing another chum salmon, and a couple pink salmon. The fish were caught on #5 Flashtrap Spinners and small diving plugs. During the trip my guests saw bald eagles along the river.

Eklutna Tailrace — I drove over in the evening and observed 2 sockeye salmon and 1 small coho salmon someone had on a stringer near the fish cleaning table. I saw another woman with a couple salmon on a stringer, and perhaps a dozen people fishing. One angler briefly fought and ostracized a salmon while I was watching. I only saw one salmon surface during about 15 minutes I was observing.

Edited: ADF&G posted that Larson Lake Weir became fish tight at 2:30 p.m. today

Mat-Su Weirs NOT counting salmon: Deshka River (7-15), Little Susitna River (7-20) Weirs remain flooded. Chelatna Lake Weir has not been installed because of high water.

Tuesday July 28, 2026 –– I guided a man and 3 young men who caught and harvested 2 chum salmon and 5 coho salmon while casting #5 Flashtrap Spinners. In addition they also caught and released several more chum salmon and a few pink salmon.

Mat-Su Weirs NOT counting salmon: Deshka River (7-15), Little Susitna River (7-20), and Larson Lake (7-21) Weirs remain flooded. Chelatna Lake Weir has not been installed because of high water.

Monday July 27, 2026 — I guided a 5 a.m. group of of 3 anglers who caught 5 coho salmon and 1 chum salmon which they harvested and also released additional chum salmon while casting with #5 Flashtrap and #5 Vibrax Spinners. Water levels high but dropping.

I guided a 10 a.m. group of 4 anglers who harvested 1 coho salmon, 1 chum salmon, and 1 sockeye salmon while casting with #5 Flashtrap Spinners. They also caught and released some pink salmon.

The first sockeye salmon and coho salmon of the season were counted passing Jim Creek Weir today.

Mat-Su Weirs NOT counting salmon: Deshka River (7-15), Little Susitna River (7-20), and Larson Lake (7-21) Weirs remain flooded. Chelatna Lake Weir has not been installed because of high water.

Sunday July 26, 2026 — I guided a 10 a.m. group of 4 anglers, who caught and released 1 pink salmon and several chum salmon and also caught and harvested 5 coho salmon. All of the fish were caught on #5 Flashtrap and #5 Vibrax Spinners. Water was high with lots of debris floating down.

Judd Lake Weir is now back in operation — salmon counts: 0.

Mat-Su Weirs NOT counting salmon: Deshka River (7-15), Little Susitna River (7-20), and Larson Lake (7-21) Weirs remain flooded. Chelatna Lake Weir has not been installed because of high water.

Saturday July 25, 2026 — I took 2 people on a dip netting trip to the lower Susitna River today. The water looked like it had dropped a couple feet since last night, when we started at Deshka Landing this morning. The Susitna River was still extremely high — and we did not see a single sand or gravel bar from Deshka Landing all the way down to the dip netting area below the Yentna River confluence. Fishing was slow to start, but picked up as the water conditioned to drop during the day. My two guests caught some sockeye, coho, chum, and pink salmon. During the trip we saw some bald eagles along the river. and several other groups out dip netting as well. We enjoyed a gloriously beautiful sunny day.

Mat-Su Weirs NOT counting salmon: Deshka River (7-15), Little Susitna River (7-20), Judd Lake (7-20), and Larson Lake (7-21) Weirs remain flooded. Chelatna Lake Weir has not been installed because of high water.

Friday July 24, 2027 — I talked with the group of 4 guests I had scheduled on Thursday evening — and told them the water was coming up so much I did not believe there would be much opportunity for them to catch salmon. I offered to go ahead and run their Friday trip or I could give them a refund. They talked it over amongst their group, talked more with me, and chose to have their trip cancelled and get a refund.

Thursday July 23, 2027 — high water at Mat-Su rivers today and getting higher with heavy rain. I guided a 5 a.m.I guide a 10 a.m. group of 4 guests who caught and harvested 2 chum salmon and 1 coho salmon while fishing with #5 Flashtrap and #5 Vibrax Spinners.

I guided a 10 a.m. group of 4 guests who caught and harvested 9 stout chum salmon while fishing with #5 Flastrap and #5 Vibrax Spinners.

The first coho salmon of the season were counted passing Fish Creek Weir today.

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 at the house 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.

Mat-Su Weirs NOT counting salmon: Larson Lake Weir flooded today. Deshka River, Little Susitna River, and Judd Lake Weirs remain flooded. Chelatna Lake Weir has not been installed because of high water.

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.

Jim Creek Weir was installed today.

Mat-Su Weirs NOT counting salmon: The Little Susitna River Weir and Judd Lake Weir flooded today. Deshka River Weir remains flooded since July 15. Chelatna Lake Weir has not been installed, because of high water level.

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.

Judd Lake Weir was installed today.

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.

Mat-Su Weirs NOT counting salmon: Deshka River flooded, Chelatna Lake not installed.

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.

Mat-Su Weirs NOT counting salmon: Deshka River flooded, Chelatna Lake not installed.

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.

Mat-Su Weirs NOT counting salmon: Deshka River flooded, Chelatna Lake not installed.

Wednesday July 15 — ADF&G Salmon counting. — Today was the 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 has been delayed by high water level. Deshka Weir was flooded by high water today — the cumulative salmon counts at the time were: 6,687 Chinook (king) and 1 chum salmon.

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?