Winter / Spring 2026 Alaska Fishing Reports

I am often available to guide our 4-hour ice fishing trips on Mat-Su Valley lakes in the Palmer-Wasilla core area north of Anchorage from January through March — and depending upon ice conditions sometimes into early April.   Many visitors choose this trip, because it provides a good opportunity to experience winter fun in Alaska.  We often start our ice fishing trips around 10 a.m. during January, however, longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures can make for very enjoyable ice fishing conditions in March.   We target rainbow trout, Arctic char, and landlocked salmon through the ice with most fish our guest catch running in the 8 – 15 inch range, with occasional rainbow trout and / or Arctic char topping 20 inches.   I provide custom-built ice fishing rods and all the additional ice fishing gear, along with helpful instruction.   Guests often catch several fish per person on these trips.    Guests over 16 years of age are required to have and Alaska fishing license and need to provide their own warm clothes.

NOTE:  We do not start guiding open water fishing trips until the ice breaks up on Mat-Su Valley rivers / usually sometime in the month of May.

Scroll Down for the Lates Fishing Report Update (starting January 1, 2026)