Spawning Sockeye Salmon

Fishing

The National Park Service and the State of Alaska cooperatively manage the wildlife resources of the Park and Preserve. An Alaska State fishing license is required for all anglers age 16 or older. Bag and possession limits vary by species and by area. Always check current fishing regulations.

fishing guidebook
Sport Fishing Rivers & Lakes 
in the Upper Copper/Susitna Rivers
A great guide to waters in and around the park!
PDF format, 2.6 mb 		Fishing Regs
AK State Sport Fishing Regulations: Southcentral Alaska
Regulations for our area

 
King Salmon
How's the Fishing?
 Latest Area Fishing Report		 Gulkana Fishing Guide
Sport Fishing the Gulkana River
 Great guide to a popular river
Pink Salmon
Salmon Identification Poster
 What Did I Just Catch?		 Red Salmon
Common Park Fish Questions
 Question & Answer

Subsistence Fishing
 Local Residents only

Sport Fishing Guides Topo Maps  Safety Information

Alan Koltiska with a nice king salmon caught in the Gulkana RiverFishing Near Park Roads

Road accessible fishing opportunities in the park/preserve are limited. The charts, below, indicate roadside lakes and streams with fish in them. While these lakes are located on or near the roads which enter the Park and Preserve, public access to them may be across private property. Check with the landowner for permission and respect private property as posted.

Fly-in Fishing Trips

A fishing trip using a float plane to access remote lakes in the Park or Preserve can be a unique wilderness experience. Lakes such as Tebay, Summit, Rock, Ptarmigan, Copper and Tanada are popular fly-in fishing destinations. Contact the Chambers of Commerce for more information on fly-in fishing opportunities.

 

Nabesna Area Fishing
Water Species Mile Location/Access
Rufus Creek DV 6.0 Spring fishery
Rock Lake RT, GR, SS, LT 22.2  
Long Lake GR, BB 22.7 Pull-off present
Jack Lake GR, WF, LT, BB 26.0 Hike 1 mile S. of road; Private Land
Twin Lakes GR, LT, BB 28.0 Primitive campsites
Jack Creek GR 35.9 Primitive campsites
Copper & Tanada Lakes GR, LT, BB - Access by float plane, foot or ATV
McCarthy Road Fishing
Water Species Mile Location/Access
Copper River RS, KS 0.7 Campground present
Strelna Lake RT, SS 10.2 Trail; Lake 1/3 mile north; Private
Silver (Van) Lake RT 10.7 Trail; Lake 1/4 mile south; Private
Sculpin (Nelson's) Lake RT 12.2 1/4 mile south; Private
Strelna Creek DV 15.0 Fair fishing
Long Lake GR, BB, LT, SS, DV 44.6 Private Land
GR=Grayling; DV=Dolly Varden; RT=Rainbow Trout; LT=Lake Trout; BB=Burbot 
WF=Whitefish; RS=Red Salmon; KS=King Salmon; SS=Silver Salmon

 

 Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve
106.8 Richardson Highway, PO Box 439
Copper Center, AK 99573
(907) 822-5234
e-mail us: wrst_interpretation@nps.gov