Ice Flows Delay Miles Lake Sonar, Chitina Dipnet Season in Limbo

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game's Miles Lake sonar crew has conducted only partial counts this week and is waiting for ice flows from the lake to subside before the equipment can become fully operational, according to Tracy Hansen, Area Management Biologist for the Upper Copper and Upper Susitna Management Area.

The Chitina Personal Use dipnet fishery below the bridge is tentatively scheduled to open at noon on June 10. The actual opening will be based on Miles Lake sonar passage data and will be announced by Emergency Order in early June.

Chitina Subdistrict Personal Use permits and State of Alaska sport fishing licenses are currently available online at the ADF&G online store and at vendors in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and local communities. Glennallen Subdistrict subsistence permits are also available online and at Fish and Game offices in Anchorage, Delta Junction, Fairbanks, and Palmer.

Air temperatures in the Upper Copper and Upper Susitna Management Area have not exceeded 60 degrees this month, Hansen reported. Lakes are slow to open. Some low elevation lakes like Two Mile and Three Mile lakes near Chitina are ice-free, but most lakes still have ice cover or are just starting to open along the shoreline. All rivers are flowing, and abundant shore ice is still present in some areas. The Gulkana River has about average flow while the Klutina and Copper Rivers are low for this time of year.

Two Mile and Three Mile lakes near Chitina are scheduled to be stocked with rainbow trout this week. More lakes will continue to be stocked the following week, including Squirrel Creek Pit and Pippin Lake. The department said it is a good time to target Arctic grayling in smaller streams crossing highways and released a video, "How to Fish for Arctic Grayling," with tips on tackle and technique.

The Klutina River is an option for anglers looking for Dolly Varden. Sockeye salmon should start showing up to the Klutina River in a couple weeks and increase in numbers throughout June. The department released a video titled "How to Fish for Klutina River Red Salmon" to help sport fishermen prepare.

The Glennallen Subdistrict subsistence salmon fishery opens by regulation June 1 at 12:01 a.m. and remains open through September 30.

The department has prepared a four-part video series, "How to Dipnet for Salmon at Chitina," available on the Chitina dipnetting page. The Glennallen ADF&G office has fishing rods available to loan through the ADF&G Rod Loaner Program. Anglers 18 and older (residents) or 16 and older (non-residents) need a current sport fishing license to borrow a rod.

There are currently no active Emergency Orders addressing Upper Copper and Upper Susitna Management Area fisheries. The department advised anglers to review the 2025 Northern Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet and to check Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements before fishing trips.