Chasing King Salmon on Knik River at the Eklutna Tailrace

Last week’s Alaska Department of Fish and Game Mat-Su Fishing Report mentioned a few king salmon had been taken from Eklutna Tailrace. 

However, when I talked with state fisheries management biologist Samantha Oslund later in the week and specifically asked whether they knew of king salmon caught in the tailrace or from the Knik River side channel, she said they only knew of fish taken from side-channel waters downstream of the actual tailrace. 

The mainstem Knik River and the side channel downstream of Eklutna Tailrace were both low and clear early last week. However, by Friday, hot weather and resulting upstream snow and glacier melt had raised and muddied water flowing in both locations.

Legal king salmon fishing waters often referred to as the Eklutna Tailrace include waters of the tailrace, waters within a half-mile of its confluence with the Knik River and then downstream approximately 2 miles to Alaska Fish and Game markers located near the side channel's confluence with the mainstem Knik River. 

There is a second Knik River channel braid that joins the side channel about 400 yards upstream of the lower marker. Early in the season, when water levels are low, most king salmon caught by sport anglers are harvested in this section with slightly deeper water.

I believe larger king salmon, in particular, often stage in this section, possibly waiting for deeper stream flows before continuing their migration upstream to the actual tailrace. 

King salmon catches usually start earlier and are more consistent in this lower portion of the side channel until water levels rise and become turbid enough to encourage more consistent king salmon migrations through the shallower upstream waters to the tailrace. 

During the 2025 season, with low Knik River flow levels extending until about June 20, it was rare to hear of king salmon harvests from the actual tailrace before that date.

With increasing and more turbid Knik River flows beginning last week, I would expect some of the first king salmon may have arrived at the tailrace by the June 6-7 weekend in 2026. 

Water levels requiring anglers to wear boots to avoid getting wet feet when accessing the fish-cleaning table near the tailrace-Knik River confluence are a good indication that king salmon may be consistently migrating into the tailrace. Eight to 10, or more, people actively fishing near the confluence, with additional anglers working waters both upstream and downstream, may indicate some level of consistent king salmon catches or sightings.

While anglers may fish with bait and multiple hooks 24 hours a day at the Eklutna Tailrace-Knik River side-channel fishery, an Alaska fishing license and king salmon stamp are required for most Alaska resident anglers older than 17 and younger than 60. 

Nonresidents older than 15 are required to have an Alaska fishing license and king salmon stamp when fishing for ocean-run king salmon. Anglers harvesting a king salmon 20 inches or longer are required to immediately record their catch, date and location either on an ADF&G app or in ink on a hard-copy fishing license or harvest record card. After harvesting a king salmon 20 inches or longer at the Eklutna Tailrace-Knik River fishery, an angler is required to stop fishing for all species at that location for the remainder of the day.

King salmon sport catches from the boat fishery in the Knik River side channel below the tailrace often peak during the first three weeks of June. Consistent king salmon sport catches in the actual tailrace and at the tailrace-Knik River confluence start a bit later but may continue into early July or beyond.

Eklutna Tailrace Youth King Salmon Fishery

On Saturday, June 20, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., a youth-fishing-only zone for anglers 15 and younger will extend from the tailrace confluence with the Knik River upstream along both banks to the pedestrian bridge. 

Youth anglers do not need a fishing license or king salmon stamp but are required to have a Harvest Record Card. King salmon 20 inches or longer that are harvested must be recorded immediately on the Harvest Record Card. Anglers of all ages may fish all remaining waters of the Eklutna Tailrace during this time.

Copper River Subsistence and Personal Use Fisheries

The state's subsistence fish wheel and subsistence dipnet fisheries opened June 1 in the Glennallen Subdistrict. While located north of the Mat-Su Valley, these salmon-harvesting opportunities are heavily used by Mat-Su and Interior Alaska residents. 

These fisheries are open only to Alaska residents, and a family household permit is required to participate. Alaska residents may participate in either the fish wheel or dipnet fisheries, but not both. Seasonal limits, marking, recording and reporting requirements are listed on the permits.

The first Chitina personal-use dipnet fishery period is scheduled to open at noon Friday, June 12, and continue through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 14, by emergency order. This fishery is also limited to Alaska residents, and a household permit is required to participate. Alaskans may choose to fish under either a Chitina District personal-use permit or a Glennallen District subsistence permit during a calendar year, but not both.

More information and permits are available at the ADF&G website.

Good luck and fish on!

Andy Couch has guided Mat-Su Valley fishing trips for more than 40 years and is a member of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission and the Matanuska Valley Fish and Game Advisory Committee. Statements or quotes in this column should be considered to represent specific organizations or individuals only when so noted.