Fish Creek run holds strong as coho concerns grow elsewhere

What you need to know:

• Fish Creek fishing remains strong. More than 1,000 sockeye a day have passed the weir since July 24, while coho counts are on track to meet the escapement goal. Fish Creek remains open to sport fishing through Aug. 15.
• Low coho counts are raising concerns elsewhere. Little Susitna River and Jim Creek counts remain low, with restrictions already in place and additional restrictions possible.
• Anglers still have several opportunities in and near the Mat-Su. Youth Fishing Day is coming up at Eklutna Tailrace, improving water conditions could boost coho fishing, and the Chitina dip net fishery remains open on a limited schedule.
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More than 1,000 sockeye salmon had passed the Fish Creek Weir each day between July 24 and Aug. 9. That's despite a personal-use dip net fishery that operated daily through July 31 and a sport fishery with an expanded daily bag limit of six salmon, only two of which may be coho, through Aug. 15.

Plenty of anglers have tried to cash in on the additional chance at filling their freezer there, particularly within an hour or two before and after high tide. The expanded salmon limit remains in effect until 10 p.m. Saturday. Anglers may fish for salmon from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the portion of Fish Creek open to sport fishing near Knik-Goose Bay Road.

Coho at the lower end Fish Creek have met their spawning escapement goal of 1,200-6,000 fish for 2026 due to a large daily push of 654 coho salmon and a cumulative total of 1,605 coho through Fish Creek Weir on August 11. That means that sport coho salmon fishing at Fish Creek will likely follow standard fishing regulations for the remainder of the season. 

Coho restrictions, weir counts

But the outlook is not so sunny for coho elsewhere in Mat-Su. An emergency order restricted the entire Susitna River drainage and the Little Susitna River to fishing with artificial lures only and reduced the coho salmon bag limit to one fish daily, as reported in last week's column.

The Deshka River weir, one of ADF&G's primary indicators of salmon abundance in the Susitna River drainage, flooded July 15 and remains out of operation because of abnormally high water. No coho had passed the weir before it flooded. Fishing pressure has been higher than normal since the bait and coho harvest restrictions took effect.

According to Jim Tilton of Deshka Landing Charters and Lodge, small pods of coho have been available near the confluence of the Deshka and Susitna rivers, but fishing success farther up the Deshka has been limited. Tilton also said pink salmon numbers have been somewhat lower this year. Nonetheless, pinks have provided considerable fishing action on the Deshka and some Parks Highway tributaries of the Susitna River.

I was unable to reach ADF&G fisheries management biologist Samantha Oslund or her assistant, Oliver Querin, on Monday for more details. I did speak briefly with Director of Sport Fisheries Israel Payton.

Payton did not mention any additional coho restrictions or closures, but the Little Susitna River weir count is concerning. Through Aug. 9, only 1,093 coho had passed the weir. The weir was flooded from July 19 to 29. During that period over the previous five years, coho counts ranged from 216 to 764. Even if 764 coho — the highest count during that period, recorded in 2023 — were added to this year's count, the total through Aug. 9 would be only 1,857.

The Little Susitna River coho salmon sustainable escapement goal is 9,200 to 17,700. ADF&G data indicates the midpoint of the coho run has usually occurred between Aug. 6 and 13. Multiple Little Susitna River fishing guides have told me they are concerned the river may need to close soon to meet, or get closer to meeting, the escapement goal.

Improving water conditions

Several Mat-Su streams have dropped significantly since the last heavy rain, and water clarity has improved dramatically in some locations. The improved conditions could boost fishing success in rivers and streams. Anglers fishing for coho salmon in waters that remain open may see the greatest benefit over the weekend and into next week.

Jim Creek coho salmon

Although Jim Creek does not have a weir-based coho salmon escapement goal, the count of only 266 coho through Aug. 9 is concerning. If counts do not increase soon, fishing restrictions could follow at this popular fishery near Bodenburg Butte.

Mat-Su anglers should stay up to date on regulation changes on the ADF&G website.

Youth Fishing Day at Eklutna Tailrace

The special fishing opportunity for anglers under 16 may coincide with the peak of the coho salmon return to Eklutna Tailrace. The hatchery-supported coho return makes the spot a unique fishing location on the Mat-Su road system, where anglers may harvest three salmon daily, all of which may be coho. Bait and multiple hooks are legal.

Youth Day runs from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The section of the tailrace from its confluence with the Knik River upstream to the pedestrian bridge is reserved for anglers younger than 16. Popular baits include salmon roe and shrimp, although anglers also catch salmon on artificial lures such as spinners, jigs or flies.

Parking is free at the tailrace. In addition to the lower lot near the confluence of the Knik River and the tailrace, an upper lot is across the Old Glenn Highway from the Eklutna Power Plant. Anglers of all ages may fish throughout the day outside the section reserved for youth. The fishery is popular with families, and although older anglers may not fish in the youth area, they may assist youth anglers.

Chitina personal use dip net fishery

Following the Aug. 7 closure of the Kasilof River personal-use dip net fishery, Chitina is now the primary option in Southcentral Alaska for residents hoping to harvest a significant number of salmon with a dip net. Participants must have a sport fishing license and a Chitina Personal Use Permit.

Because of low numbers of salmon passing the Miles Lake sonar through late July, the Chitina personal-use dip net fishery is scheduled to open noon Friday to noon Sunday each week for the remainder of August.

Good Luck and Fish On!

Andy Couch has guided Mat-Su Valley fishing trips for over 40 years, is a member of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission and the Matanuska Valley Fish and Game Advisory Committee; however, statements/quotes in this column only represent specific organizations or individuals when so noted.