Mat-Su Fishing Lakes Opening Up For Spring

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

Mat-Su Fishing Report

May 03, 2022

Local Lakes

• Lakes with open water for fishing include Finger, Kepler/Bradley, Echo, Canoe, Irene, Long (Matanuska Lake complex), Meirs, Loberg, Finger, Anderson, Kings, and Lucile. The hatchery will start stocking fish this weekend. You can follow the stocking truck here.
• State Parks opened the gate to Matanuska Lake.
• The gate to Eklutna Tailrace is still closed. Maintenance work starts this week – stay tuned.

Freshwater Fishing

• Anglers are reminded that flowing waters in the Palmer-Wasilla Zone are CLOSED to all fishing until
  June 15. This includes Cottonwood Creek off Seward Meridian.
• Many flowing waters along the Parks Highway are catch-and-release ONLY for rainbow trout until
  June 15.
• Northern Pike are now spawning and may be found in shallow, grassy waters. Try Memory or Prator lakes. Pike can be a little sluggish while spawning, so try a variety of lures. This is also a good time to try bow fishing for pike. Check out the Reel Times article ‘Bowfishing for Northern Pike’ in the April issue.

Emergency Orders 

Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

• Emergency Order 2-R-2-19-22 adds Leech, Summit, Zero, Kings, and Anderson lakes to the list of lakes stocked with hatchery fish. The bag and possession limit for rainbow trout in these lakes is five fish, of which only one maybe 20 inches or greater in length. The bag and possession limit for Arctic grayling is five fish, with no size limit. This emergency order is effective for the 2022 season.
• Emergency Order 2-DV-2-13-22 prohibits the retention of Arctic char/Dolly Varden in the Fish Creek (Big Lake) drainage. This emergency order is in effect through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, December 31, 2022.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-06-22 restricts fishing for king salmon in the Little Susitna River to catch-and-release only and sport fishing gear is restricted to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure. This emergency order is effective from 6:00 a.m. Sunday, May through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, 2022.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-05-22 restricts fishing for king salmon in units 1-6 of the Susitna River to catch-and-release only. Sport fishing gear is restricted to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure in all waters of the Susitna River drainage. This emergency order is effective from 6:00 a.m. Sunday, May through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, July 13, 2022.

Don’t forget to purchase your 2022 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2022 sport fishing license and king stamp through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home. Also, make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2022 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing in before you head out.

For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Palmer Area Office at (907) 746-6300.