Fish Creek sport fishery closes today; dipnet opening possible if counts hold

The Fish Creek sport fishery closes by regulation today, July 15, and will not reopen under normal rules. Whether Alaska resident dipnetters get a shot at sockeye depends on ADF&G projections in the coming days.

"The department must project more than 35,000 sockeye salmon prior to opening this dip net fishery," said Samantha Oslund, Northern Cook Inlet Area Management Biologist for ADF&G's Sport Fish Division, in Tuesday's Mat-Su fishing report. Counts this week have been strong, she noted. The fishery typically opens toward the end of July.

If ADF&G projects a run above 35,000, it can open the personal-use fishery by emergency order between July 15 and July 31, with daily fishing from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. In 2025, ADF&G opened the fishery July 23 through July 31 after projecting a run above that threshold.

Only Alaska residents may participate. An Upper Cook Inlet Personal Use permit is required, and harvest must be reported online by Aug. 31. Watch the ADF&G Fish Counts page and review current emergency orders for updates.