Chum Salmon

As with silvers, the primary chum salmon producer in southcentral Alaska is the Susitna River, although sexually mature fish have a long way to travel before reaching clearwater tributaries where they can be effectively targeted. It is rare to fish for dime-bright chum in this system (the chum of the lower Little Su can be an exception).

In general, run timing for this area is from early July through early September, with the peak usually falling between mid-July and early August.

Some of the best bets for hooking up with the chum salmon are the Susitna River, Deshka, Talkeetna and Talachulitna rivers or Alexander, Willow, Little Willow, Goose, Sheep, Montana and Lake creeks. Sheep Creek, in particular, has an abundance of angler-friendly water, ideal for bank-fishing, and in many years, produces excellent returns of chum.

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