Copper River Salmon Opener Highlights Upper Copper/Susitna Report

The following is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

May 11, 2022

Check out ADF&G’s new gofishak interactive map to discover popular fishing locations and information on species run timing, fishing gear selections, and boat and angler access tips!

Personal Use

The Chitina Subdistrict Personal Use Dip Net Salmon Fishery on the Copper River is tentatively set to open June 7^th at noon (12:00 pm) but will be dependent on daily sonar counts at the Miles Lake sonar. The preseason schedule released earlier this month can be found here.

Informational Hotlines for Chitina Personal Use Fishery

• Anchorage: 907-267-2511
• Fairbanks: 907-459-7382
• Glennallen: 907-822-5224

Sport Fishing

Freshwater Fishing

The slow warm-up has left ice conditions undesirable for fishing. Ice conditions can be monitored here: Breakup Map. While you wait for the rivers and lakes to clear, you can research new spots to fish. For a guide to where all the accessible fisheries are, check out Sport fishing Alaska rivers and lakes in the Upper Copper/Upper Susitna River Basin. This guide lists all the fisheries, species available and mile markers along all the major highways crossing the Upper Copper and Upper Susitna Management Area.

Salmon

The 2022 Copper River forecast is 1.43 million wild and hatchery sockeye salmon combined, and 40,000 king salmon. The in-river goal, for the number of salmon passing the Miles Lake sonar, is 656,000–1,046,000 salmon. This goal ensures sufficient salmon for spawning escapement, subsistence, personal use and sport fishing needs, and hatchery brood stock.

Emergency Orders

Please review the Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip:

Press Release

• 5-3-22 Copper River Personal Use Dip Net Salmon Fishery Preseason Schedule

Don’t forget to bring your 2022 sport fishing license. Help maximize social distancing by purchasing your sport fishing license at the ADF&G Online Store. You can print your license from the comfort of your home. Also, be sure to review Emergency Orders and the 2022 Northern Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet for the area you are fishing in before you head out.

For more information

Call the Glennallen office at (907) 822-3309 with any questions.