June 2026 Alaska Fishing Reports
June is our best month for catching king (Chinook) salmon in the Mat-Su Valley between Anchorage and Denali National Park. We are guiding king salmon fishing trips in June 2026 to the Knik River side-channel below Ekltuna Tailrace. If you want to fish for / hope to catch a large ocean-run king salmon in the Mat-Su Valley north of Anchorage, Eklutna Tailrace and the Knik River side-channel is the only location open for fishing for Alaska’s official state fish at the start of the 2026 season. This location is open to salmon harvest 365 days per year, on a 24 hour per day basis, with bait and multiple hooks allowed the entire time. While a few king salmon are taken in May and July from this location, the month of June is when most Knik River king salmon are harvested. The water is usually clearer and shallower earlier in June, causing king to bunch up and wait for higher runoff levels before continuing their migration up the side-channel to their destination at Eklutna Tailrace. Later in June as the river becomes higher and cloudier king salmon migration through the side-channel picks up speed. After a heavy rain or warm spell melting Knik Glacier the river level can rise substantially and become more clouded with glacial silt, which can slow down the king salmon catching at this location. The action picks up again, whenever a spell of cooler weather causes the river to drop / clear, or during times of large releases of cleaner water through the Eklutna power plant, down the tailrace, and into the Knik River side-channel.
The Knik River side-channel will be our primary location when fishing for ocean-run salmon during June, however, we’ve also caught some sockeye salmon, chum salmon, and even some extremely early-run coho salmon from Little Susitna River in late June. Therefore, depending upon river conditions, we MAY guide a few trips to Little Susitna River or other locations for other species– especially during the last week of June, and certainly during July. Note: Our guest have caught king salmon on diving plugs, Flashtrap Spinners, and Fire Cured salmon roe. By far bait fishing accounted for most of our guests’ king salmon caught at the Knik River during the 2025 season, however, we are willing to switch things up and try different tactics (sometime it pays off)!
Most Recent Fishing Reports (Updates started June 1)
Monday June 29, 2026 — I am scheduled to guide a salmon fishing trip — check back in the evening for a fishing report update.
Sunday June 28, 2026 — I went to a Palmer High School Reunion today at the Moose lodge in Palmer. Next year’s event is scheduled for June 27 at the Palmer train depot. Later I drove and took a look at the mink River Access — the river was high from rain — so next I drove overt Eklutna Tailrace and was amazed to see about45 vehicles in the parking lot. I only saw one king salmon carcassnear the fish cleaning table and a man and woman with a single Dolly Varden they had harvested. Although I walked along the tailrace and talked with people for about an hour I did not see anyone hook a fish while I was at the tailrace. I also did not see any fish surface. There were lots of folks out enjoying an opportunity to fish for salmon on a Sunday evening.
Saturday July 27, 2026 — I have the day off from guiding — and a steady rain is falling. The weather report calls for rain today — accumulating to a little over half an inch by midnight. Forecasts call for another third of an inch of rain on Sunday, followed by another half inch of rain Monday. Rain may raise and cool waters at Deshka River and Little Susitna River, which could spur additional salmon passage through Deshka River and Little Susitna River weirs. Note: king salmon passage at both locations has been projecting below escapement goal levels all season (Even without any sport fishing for king salmon at either location during 2026). We currently have good salmon charter availability (particularly morning availability for the week from June 28 – July 4). Give us a call at 907-746-2199 if you would like to book a fishing trip or learn more.
Friday June 26, 2026 — I guided an 8 a.m. group of 4 on a salmon fishing trip, and one of them caught the first sockeye salmon of the season taken from my guide boat. The sockeye was caught on Fire Cured salmon roe which had been soaked in Pautzlke’s Nectar under a bobber. In addition there were a very few additional light bites, but no other hookups. During the trip we saw one fish surface. The guests also fished with Fired Cured salmon roe fished behind jet divers. During the last hour of the trip a gentle rain started, increase to a brief shower, and then slacked off again before we returned to the boat launch. I had a flat tire to deal with on my truck at the end of my trip.
Thursday June 25, 2026 — I guided a group of 4 guests on a 10 a.m. salmon fishing trip. One member of the group had a bite while drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under a bobber, but did not mange to hook the fish. Otherswise my guests covered lots of water and kept their baits in the water, but could not manage any additional bites. During the trip we saw one king salmon surface, saw a moose swimming across the river, saw a bald eagle checking things out along the river, saw a pair of trumpeter swans winging overhead, and several additional smaller birds. It was a partly cloudy, but pleasant day to be on the water with some fine guests.
Wednesday June 24, 2026 — I had a 10 a.m. salmon fishing trip scheduled today, but was feeling poor enough that I did not know if I could successfully run the trip, so I discussed the issue with my the leader of my group and we agreed upon a cancellation with refund — as I was uncertain only ability to guide the trip. I suspect this may be a short term issue, and believe I will feel good enough to guide tomorrow.
Tuesday June 23, 2026 — I guided 2 men from Colorado on a 5 a.m. salmon fishing trip. They each had a bite and hookedc a salmon during the trip, but both fish were lost before they could be brought to the net. One salmon was hooked with Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under a bobber, and the other fish was hooked on a Spinning Cheater and Fired Cured salmon roe fished behind a Jet Diver. During the trip we saw a pair of swans along the river. It turned into a wet, rainy and cool trip — even with the longest days of the summer in June it can be quite cool out on the water so I always try to keep an extra piece of warm clothing and my rain gear in the boat for every trip.
Monday June 22, 2026 — I guided group of 3 men on a salmon fishing trip. One of them caught a Dolly Varden on Fire Cured salmon roe fished behind a Jet Diver, but the group did not manage to hook any king salmon. We saw several other groups of anglers out fishing, but did not see any king salmon today.
Sunday June 21, 2026 — I guided a husband, wife, and kid from Arizona on a 5 a.m. salmon trip. Each of them hooked a king salmon, but only one king salmon was caught. All of the fish were hooked on Fire Cured salmon roe enhanced with additional Fire Power krill scent and fished behind Jet Divers. The river keeps rising on a daily basis now.
I guided a grandfather, grandmother, and 2 grandkids from Florida on a 10 a.m. king salmon trip. One of the grandkids briefly hooked the only king salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe fished behind a Jet Diver. There was ca considerable amount of boaters fishing the river today.
Saturday June 20, 2026 — I guided an 8 a.m. group of 2 Alaskans who only had 2 strikes, but each managed to harvest a king salmon. One king salmon was caught on Fire Cured salmon roe that had been enhanced by soaking in Pautzke’s Nectar, and then drifted under a bobber. The other king salmon was caught by backtrolling Fire Cured salmon roe behind a Spinning Cheater.
Friday June 19, 2026 — I guided a group of 3 Alaskans on an 8 a.m. salmon charter, and one of them caught a king salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe fished behind a Spinning Cheater and Jet Diver. In addition another guest briefly hooked, but lost two additional king salmon while drifting Fire Cured salmon roe under a bobber. We saw some king salmon surfacing today and also saw some bald eagles along the river.
Thursday June 18, 2026 — I guided a 5 a.m. trip with a family group of 4 guests from San Diego. One of them caught a nice king salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe fished behind a Spinning Cheater and a jet diver. They also had several additional bites, and had one other salmon close o the boat before it came off the hook. During the trip my guests saw a moose crossing the river and a bald eagle soaring over us as we started the trip, and a pair of Trumpeter Swans flying across the river..
Wednesday June 17, 2026 — In took a day off from guiding. My wife and I went shopping. I got some additional fishing gear ready. I did a shakedown cruise on my second guide boat after working on the motor, and it appears ready for service.
Tuesday June 16, 2026 — I guided an 8 a.m. group of 6 guests for salmon, and one guest caught a nice king salmon on Fire Cured salmon roe fished behind a Spinning Cheater and jet diver. A second guest briefly hooked but lost a king salmon on the same type set up. During the trip we saw some bald eagles along the river, and enjoyed a beautiful sunny day on the river.
Monday June 15, 2026 — I guided a 6 a.m. group of 4 people, who caught a king salmon that was foul hooked — so it had to be released, One other king salmon was briefly hooked, but managed to shake the hook before it could be brought to the net. Water level continues to rise on the Knik River. We saw a few fish surfacing in the areas we were fishing. During the trip we saw some bald eagles.
I guided a 1 o’clock group of 6 people from Pittsburgh area, and they did not hook any king salmon. During the trip we saw bald eagles along the river and fished several location. We also saw some king salmon making wakes as they swam up stream.
Sunday June 14, 2026 — I guided a 5 am group of two couples from Arizona, one of whom caught a king salmon on Fired Cured salmon roe fished behind a jet diver. Most of the trip the entire group drifted the roe under bobbers, but with the bobbers going down 4 times they were unable to set the hook on a fish. During the trip we saw ducks along the river.
Saturday June 13 — I guided a 1 0’clock group of 3 men from Texas for salmon. They drifted Fire Cured salmon roe under bobbers the entire trip, but did not manage to hook even a single king salmon..
Friday June 12, 2026 — I guided 4 guests from Kentucky on an 8 a.m. trip for salmon, but they did not manage to catch a king salmon.. One of them hooked up and battled a king salmon up close to the boat, however the fish managed to pull loose from the hook before I was willing to attempt netting it. My guests fished the entire trip using Fire Cured salmon roe drifted under bobbers. During the trip we saw a pair of bald eagles perched in tree beside the river. I enjoyed several humorous moments with this group, but even though they were dressed in layers to stay warm, it was foggy and cool on the river well into the late morning. 3 of my 4 guests requested being dropped off back at the launch site to warm up, after the drop off the I boated the reaming guest back upriver to fish the final two hours of the trip.
Later in the evening I talked with Israel Payton. Director of Sport Fish Division for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and he mentioned that king salmon had arrived upstream in Eklutna Tailrace as far as the hatchery, and had been seen surfacing there recently.
Thursday June 11, 2026 — I guided an 8 a.m. family group of 3 people from Orlando Florida for salmon at Knik River. They fished salmon roe cured with Pautzke’s Fire Cure and drifted under bobbers most other the trip. one guest also fished with a Kwikfish plug for a while. They experienced one good bite during the trip, but did not manage to hook the fish. We saw several other groups out fishing, but only saw one boat hook a couple fish — of which they landed a king salmon. During the trip we also saw and heard a pair of trumpeter swans flying by, and watched a mother duck and her very small ducklings paddling in the river near us.. An unusual wind kicked up and a few hours into the trip, and everyone got cool, so my guests decided to finish their trip about an hour early.
I guided a 1 p.m. afternoon husband and wife group from Los Vegas for salmon. They both fished diligently throughout the entire trip — the wind slacked off during the afternoon until it almost died at the end of their trip. The fished Fire Cured salmon roe under bobbers the entire trip and the husband caught the only fish they hooked during the last hour of the trip. It was a chrome female king salmon that I estimated weighing 15 pounds. WE saw several other groups of anglers out fishing near us, but did not see anyone else hook a fish during this trip.
Wednesday June 10, 2026 — We started the process of putting gear away and cleaning up after our camping trip.
Tuesday June 9, 2026 — All 5 people on our camping trip fished in the morning with everyone catching at least one sockeye salmon. Later we broke camp and started the long drive home. We saw a moose and some Dall sheep near the road on our drive. It was a fund and eventful annual camping trip
Monday June 8, 2026– 5 people on our annual camping trip fished and cleaned fish from early in the morning until late in the evening. We caught mostly sockeye salmon, but 3 people also caught king salmon.
Sunday June 7, 2026 — My wife (Frede), a friend, and I drove for several hours to our campsite, set up camp, and fished in the evening. Frede Caught the only fish — a sockeye salmon. My brother and a daughter joined us late that evening.
Saturday June 6, 2025 — My wife and I prepared for an annual camping trip we have been making for the past several years.
June 5, 2026 — I guided a group of 4 people for salmon, and 2 of them caught and harvested a king salmon. Both fish were caught on Fire Cured salmon roe. During the trip wee saw a sandhill crane, a very low flying airplane, and about a half dozen other groups of boaters out looking to catch a salmon. The water had been coming up and there is a considerable amount of color from the warm weather melting the Knik Glacier.
June 4, 2026 — I checked out the Knik River and Eklutna Tailrace water levels today. There is a small amount of Knik River water now flowing down the side-channel and the water level has risen following a couple of the warmest days we have had this year.
June 3, 2026 — I guided a single guest for rainbow trout and graying out of Deshka Landing. We covered lots of water up the Deshka River, and he caught one grayling, and fought a nice rainbow trout up to the boat before it shook loose. Although he fished holes all the way up to the weir site, we simply did not find many fish willing to bite. During the trip we saw arctic terns and waterfowl along the river. Near the Deshka River confluence wiht the Susitna River we saw a group fish surfacing both on our trip upriver and on our trip downriver, however, I was fairly certain they were likely king salmon — so we did not fish anywhere near the Deshka River mouth. I learned after the trip that the Alaska Department of Fish and Game finished installing the Desehka River weir late in the day.
June 2, 2026 — I guided a man and his son out of Deshka Landing for trout and grayling. At the first spot we stopped the man caught a grayling and rainbow trout on a spinner. We saw additional fish surfacing at that spot, but did not catch any more. We cover lots of water during the rest of the trip, but did not hook anymore fish. We saw some ducks, a pair of high flying geese, and a moose along the Susitna River tributary we were fishing. It was a nice warm day out on the water today — easily one of the warmest days so far this year in Southcentral Alaska. :likely topping 70 degrees.