2024 Alaska Fishing News Mat-Su Valley
May 1, 2024 The Alaska Department of Fish and Game had previously issued an emergency order that changed Mat-Su king salmon fishing regulations to close the entire Susitna River drainage and the Little Susitna River to king salmon season through July 13. In addition in Susitna River drainage waters normally open to king salmon fishing and Little Susitna River and additional emergency regulation was created the only allowed the use of a single hook artificial lure with a gap between the hook shank and hook point of 1/2 inch or less. Knowing these regulations were coming, and knowing how limited the fishing area and number of king salmon were in the remaining Mat-Su location where anglers could fish for and harvest king salmon (Eklutna Tailrace / Knik River), we’ve made it where anglers would need to call on our 907-746-2199 phone number to make a fishing reservation. That provides us the opportunity to explain our fishing options, and what we would expect from specific Mat-Su Valley fisheries.
I am expecting slim salmon catching opportunities from mid-May through the entire month of June. We will be offering some trout / grayling / and or northern pike fishing trips in addition to king salmon fishing trips at the Knik River.
May 21, 2024 — A friend and I took my guide boat on a scouting trip to Deshka River to search for rainbow trout, arctic graying, and northern pike — and to generally see what fishing conditions were like in preparation for a guided trip on May 22. Deshka River was very high with plenty of current. We caught a few rainbow trout and arctic grayling, but could not even entice a single bite from a pike. During the trip we saw a couple moose and waterfowl (including sandhill cranes).
May 22, 2024 — I guided a group of three women who caught several rainbow trout and grayling on small Mepps and Vibrax single-hook spinners. Even though the river was high we saw several fish surfacing during the trip — and the locations where the fish were surfacing also proved to be areas where the ladies caught the most fish.
May 28, 2024 — I guided a group of 3 people to Deshka River. We did not see near as many fish surfacing this trip and the group caught about 5 fish — and lost a couple more. One guest caught all of the fish, one guest hooked, but lost a couple fish, an the final guest made lots of casts but was unable to hook up. Although we tried other gear, all of the fish were once again caught on small Mepps and Vibrax spinners. Fish caught included one very large fat whitefish, and a couple rainbow trout and a couple arctic grayling. The river was still high and fast, but dropping. During our trip we saw some members of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) working at installing the Deshka River Weir.
May 31 — Deshka Weir installation finalized and fish tight for ADF&G staff to start counting migrating Deshka River king salmon.