September 2026 Alaska Fishing Reports
Ocean-run coho salmon remain available in September with bait fishing at Knik River Fishing on the Big Susitna River drainage is restricted to artificial lures only, starting September 1, however, we’ve guided guests to some solid Susitna River drainage coho catches in September as well. Standard regulations allow bait fishing at Little Susitna River through September, however inseason regulation changes have negated that opportunity the past few years. By Emergency Order coho salmon harvest has been closed on the Sustina River Drainage and the Little Susitna River Starting August 19. Fishing at Knik River below the Tailrace has dropped way off — so we currently do not have any good locations left for guiding coho salmon fishing trips from our guide boats.
Daily temperatures start cooling down in September, so guests should bring warm clothes and rain gear — and especially for morning trips. Call if interested in taking a September 2026 Jetboat Tour: 907-746-2199
Scroll down for our latest fishing report (updates occurring during September)
Sunday September 6, 2026 — In the afternoon Frede and I helped cut up the first moose that my nephew’s wife harvested the evening before. It was a large family get together and we made short work of it. The meat had been well-cared for in the field so if was very clean with little waste. Afterward my sister had cooked up a meal of stir fried fresh garden vegetable along with some moose meat from last year.
Thursday September 3, 2026 — I took a man and his son for a 3-hour jet boat ride on the lower Knik River and they also did some fishing with Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under bobbers. The water level has dropped considerably, and they did not see or hook any fish. Note: Someone has a jeep- like vehicle totally in the river about 150 yards below the Knik River Access launch site. Don’t know how that happened, but it looks like it will likely be extremely difficult to get out of there.
Wednesday September 2, 2026 — I wrote my weekly Mat-Su anglers column for the Mat-Su Sentinel and submitted it. It posts on September 3 — and can be read for free on the Mat-Su Sentinel Website. in your browser type: matsusentinel.com
Tuesday September 1 , 2026 — Fish Creek. After noticing that more than 100 coho had passed the FIsh Creek weir every day in the previous week, I made a personal fishing trip to Fish Creek located about 17 miles out Knik Goose Bay Road from Wasilla. I fished with about 7 other anglers as the tide was coming in and then until it had dropped over a foot. I did not hook any fish nor did I see anyone else hook or catch a fish while I was there. The only fish coming through on this high tide seemed to be a few late pink salmon. If a person was in the legal Fish Creek salmon fishing area near Knik-Goose Bay Road when a decent number of coho were coming in on the tide I believe the fishing could still be good, however it appears that it is late enough in the season where some high tides may not have many salmon moving upstream. Weir counts are high enough to show they are coming through at some point and possible each day. A person has to be there at the right time to get them, so it might necessitate fishing more times or more hours in order to get a good coho or two.