Rainbow Trout

As most Alaskan anglers already know, the tributaries of the Susitna River provide excellent opportunities for native rainbow trout. Numbers of fish are typically outstanding and average sizes are strong. One just has to adjust slightly his or her feelings on what constitutes a trophy Alaska rainbow.

For roadside fisheries, streams like Montana and Willow creeks consistently put out a number of large trout each year, with a few fish that can push the magical ten-pound barrier, while other Susitna tributaries, like the Deshka, currently enjoy thirty-year highs in terms of the health of the fishery.

Getting off the road, as many as 10,000 fish are caught and released annually in both Lake Creek and the Talachulitna River, where fish tend to average between 12 and 16 inches. Rocky, clear-flowing Willow Creek probably garners the most interest from rainbow anglers, in part due to its reputation for producing fish of above-average to trophy size and also because of its popularity as a manageable day-float. Floaters should exercise caution, since Willow is a rapid-runoff stream with plenty of sweepers and logjams. Montana, Sheep and Goose creeks also produce consistently for trout hunters and occasionally pump out fish in the 24-inch class.

When planning to search the Susitna and its tributaries for resident trout, like in almost every other rainbow river in Alaska, anglers would be wise to mind the salmon runs. The seasonality of these fisheries depends upon the spawning nature of the salmon. Most pick up around July 15 when the kings start spawning. Before that, the fish are spread out. During spawning, however, the fish are concentrated and better targets for anglers.

Autumn is another good time for Mat-Su-bound anglers to find large concentrations of fish. In places like Lake Creek and the Talachulitna River, rainbows move into the lakes or down to the mouths of the rivers where there's better holding water; plus that's where all the food is available, mainly the accumulation of salmon eggs and flesh drifting downstream.

Lastly, keep in mind the tributary feeder creeks, especially early in the season, when alevin, fry and smolt patterns will prove productive for rainbows on the move towards their late-spring spawning grounds. Some of the best fishing of the year can be found during this time, with large fish in very small water a distinct possibility.