King salmon closures spread across Mat-Su and West Cook Inlet as runs remain weak

Emergency orders have closed king salmon sport fishing across most of the Mat-Su area and West Cook Inlet through at least mid-July, continuing a pattern of conservation-driven restrictions that have affected Upper Cook Inlet fisheries for multiple seasons.

Three emergency orders close sport fishing for king salmon in the Susitna River drainage, the Little Susitna, and all fresh waters in the West Cook Inlet Management Area. The Susitna closure runs from May 1 through July 13, 2026; the West Cook Inlet closure extends through December 31, 2026.

During the closures, all sport fishing gear in the Susitna drainage and Little Susitna is limited to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure with a gap between the point and shank of one-half inch or less. King salmon may not be targeted or retained; any incidentally caught kings must remain in the water and be released immediately.

West Cook Inlet streams have been subject to chronic king salmon conservation measures. Upper Cook Inlet and Mat-Su king salmon runs have been under conservation-driven sport fish closures in multiple recent seasons, including full-season closures of Kenai River king salmon sport fishing documented for 2026.

Other fishing opportunities remain open

Rainbow trout fishing is expected to pick up near the mouths of Parks Highway streams such as Willow, Kashwitna, Sheep, Montana, and the Talkeetna once the water clears. Anglers are targeting rainbow trout with smolt patterns, leaches, flesh flies, apricot beads, and sculpins.

Northern pike fishing is active at Lalen, West Beaver, Nancy, and Prator lakes, with anglers focusing on grassy spawning areas. For boat trips, anglers are fishing side channel sloughs of the Deshka River, Fish Creek, and Moose and Indian creeks on the Yentna River.

Recent stocking activity has placed rainbow trout in Lalen, Leech, West Beaver, Rocky, Crystal, Spruce, Slipper, and Meirs lakes. Knik Lake has been stocked with rainbow trout after a successful rotenone project was completed in the fall.