Matanuska Lake fishing

Fishing at Matanuska Lake is on a natural lake, stocked with Rainbow Trout, Coho Salmon, Arctic Char, Chinook Salmon, Salmonid Hybrid, and Lake Trout. It is stocked about 4.7 times a year since 1992, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Rainbow Trout and dawn for Lake Trout.

Last stocked

September 15, 2026

Plants on record

165

Since 1992

Species recorded

6

Average size

8.1 in

Elevation

53 ft

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Nearest town
Palmer, AK
ADA accessible
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, camping

Part of Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area north of the Glenn Highway at milepost 36.4, west of Palmer. Stocked with trout and grayling; only electric motors are allowed. ADA-accessible facilities, picnic sites, and RV/tent camping on site. $7/day parking fee.

Sources: water_type , access.ada , access.fee , shore_notes , nearest_town , facilities , fishing_notes , watch_outs

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How Matanuska Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the second week of May. In 2026 it was May 15, 2026, about when it usually is.

Fish at Matanuska Lake

Fishing Matanuska Lake is most likely to be for Rainbow Trout. Rainbow Trout accounts for 68 of 165 plants on record, ahead of Arctic Char and 4 more.

Rainbow Trout 68 plants
Plants
68 of 165
Last stocked
May 15, 2026
Average length
8.3 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Rainbow Trout guide.

Arctic Char 51 plants
Plants
51 of 165
Last stocked
August 6, 2025
Average length
9.5 in
Chinook Salmon 35 plants
Plants
35 of 165
Last stocked
October 4, 2024
Average length
6.6 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Chinook Salmon guide.

Coho Salmon 5 plants
Plants
5 of 165
Last stocked
October 2, 2025
Average length
4.7 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Coho Salmon guide.

Lake Trout 4 plants
Plants
4 of 165
Last stocked
September 15, 2026
Average length
5 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Lake Trout guide.

Salmonid Hybrid 2 plants
Plants
2 of 165
Last stocked
October 9, 2000
Average length
8.8 in

Fishing Matanuska Lake

Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area is a popular fishing park, stocked with trout and grayling by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Matanuska Lake is among several lakes in the state park, including Canoe, Irene, and Long Lakes. Only electric motors are allowed on Matanuska Lake.

Sources: dnr.alaska.gov

What to watch for

Only electric motors are allowed on Matanuska Lake, as well as on Kepler, Canoe, Irene, and Long Lakes.

Fish stocked per year

  • 20,6441992
  • 16,6491993
  • 18,9561994
  • 11,8721995
  • 14,5011996
  • 3,9191997
  • 3,9031998
  • 14,1901999
  • 15,9792000
  • 17,4352001
  • 21,5442002
  • 9,6512003
  • 7,9752004
  • 7,5752005
  • 44,4612006
  • 125,4482007
  • 10,6632008
  • 21,7482009
  • 94,3742010
  • 4,6992011
  • 21,5272012
  • 7,7412013
  • 9,9872014
  • 7,8602015
  • 7,3642016
  • 7,9612017
  • 6,2012018
  • 8,4402019
  • 9,3402020
  • 5,1302021
  • 14,6782022
  • 19,3612023
  • 25,0082024
  • 6,8932025
  • 5,6742026

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 165 plants Showing 165 plants

Source: Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
September 15, 2026 Lake Trout 2,718 5.2 in report
May 15, 2026 Rainbow Trout 2,956 11 in report
October 2, 2025 Coho Salmon 2,822 6.9 in report
August 6, 2025 Arctic Char 833 3.6 in report
June 5, 2025 Rainbow Trout 265 10.1 in report
May 2, 2025 Rainbow Trout 2,973 10.3 in report
October 4, 2024 Chinook Salmon 3,942 9.5 in report
October 3, 2024 Chinook Salmon 1,074 9.5 in report
September 13, 2024 Lake Trout 2,120 4.9 in report
September 6, 2024 Arctic Char 3,501 4.4 in report
July 11, 2024 Rainbow Trout 11,175 2.5 in report
May 17, 2024 Rainbow Trout 2,269 9.6 in report
May 14, 2024 Rainbow Trout 927 10.3 in report
October 13, 2023 Chinook Salmon 2,797 8.9 in report
September 7, 2023 Arctic Char 1,596 4 in report
June 21, 2023 Arctic Char 715 9.5 in report
June 18, 2023 Rainbow Trout 3,067 3.1 in report
June 18, 2023 Rainbow Trout 3,715 3.1 in report
June 18, 2023 Rainbow Trout 3,964 3.1 in report
May 22, 2023 Rainbow Trout 3,507 9.9 in report
October 6, 2022 Chinook Salmon 1,423 9.1 in report
October 4, 2022 Chinook Salmon 1,392 9.1 in report
September 21, 2022 Lake Trout 3,410 4.9 in report
September 8, 2022 Arctic Char 2,474 3.2 in report
June 25, 2022 Arctic Char 2,042 1.9 in report
June 19, 2022 Arctic Char 426 9.3 in report
May 15, 2022 Rainbow Trout 3,511 10 in report
September 22, 2021 Chinook Salmon 1,438 9.3 in report
September 22, 2021 Chinook Salmon 971 9.3 in report
September 8, 2021 Arctic Char 1,222 3.5 in report
May 22, 2021 Rainbow Trout 1,499 10.4 in report
October 14, 2020 Chinook Salmon 2,301 9.4 in report
September 16, 2020 Lake Trout 1,569 4.9 in report
September 10, 2020 Arctic Char 1,739 3.6 in report
May 5, 2020 Rainbow Trout 3,731 9.8 in report
October 29, 2019 Coho Salmon 3,284 7.4 in report
August 29, 2019 Arctic Char 786 12.3 in report
May 15, 2019 Arctic Char 803 9.8 in report
April 25, 2019 Rainbow Trout 3,567 9.7 in report
October 19, 2018 Arctic Char 143 23.6 in report
October 9, 2018 Chinook Salmon 2,597 8.9 in report
May 7, 2018 Rainbow Trout 3,461 9.4 in report
October 4, 2017 Chinook Salmon 1,066 8.8 in report
October 3, 2017 Chinook Salmon 1,990 9.2 in report
August 23, 2017 Rainbow Trout 364 10.6 in report
May 10, 2017 Rainbow Trout 3,538 9.6 in report
May 9, 2017 Arctic Char 154 9.3 in report
May 8, 2017 Arctic Char 849 9.3 in report
November 3, 2016 Arctic Char 75 11.4 in report
October 25, 2016 Arctic Char 140 22.3 in report
October 13, 2016 Chinook Salmon 2,834 8.5 in report
April 27, 2016 Rainbow Trout 3,890 9 in report
February 12, 2016 Rainbow Trout 200 12.5 in report
February 8, 2016 Rainbow Trout 47 19.5 in report
February 8, 2016 Rainbow Trout 178 19.1 in report
October 7, 2015 Chinook Salmon 2,257 8.9 in report
June 8, 2015 Arctic Char 801 9.5 in report
May 8, 2015 Arctic Char 799 9.4 in report
May 4, 2015 Rainbow Trout 4,003 9.4 in report
October 30, 2014 Arctic Char 166 11.4 in report
October 28, 2014 Arctic Char 135 19.8 in report
October 22, 2014 Arctic Char 57 23.3 in report
October 20, 2014 Chinook Salmon 2,561 8.7 in report
August 29, 2014 Rainbow Trout 1,009 8.3 in report
July 9, 2014 Arctic Char 550 9.2 in report
May 13, 2014 Rainbow Trout 5,509 10.1 in report
July 24, 2013 Arctic Char 830 8.8 in report
June 5, 2013 Arctic Char 840 8.5 in report
May 30, 2013 Rainbow Trout 6,071 8.4 in report
October 5, 2012 Chinook Salmon 2,974 9 in report
September 7, 2012 Arctic Char 437 11.2 in report
August 9, 2012 Arctic Char 290 2.5 in report
August 9, 2012 Arctic Char 484 2.6 in report
August 9, 2012 Arctic Char 663 2.6 in report
August 9, 2012 Arctic Char 2,408 3.1 in report
August 9, 2012 Arctic Char 5,187 3.8 in report
May 23, 2012 Rainbow Trout 5,937 8.1 in report
May 10, 2012 Rainbow Trout 3,147 3.6 in report
November 30, 2011 Arctic Char 30 14.1 in report
November 30, 2011 Arctic Char 15 20.7 in report
November 30, 2011 Arctic Char 36 24.6 in report
September 9, 2011 Arctic Char 3,068 4.2 in report
May 10, 2011 Arctic Char 1,500 7 in report
May 10, 2011 Arctic Char 50 23.7 in report
September 30, 2010 Arctic Char 7,204 4 in report
September 30, 2010 Rainbow Trout 10,000 2.5 in report
July 1, 2010 Chinook Salmon 4,646 2.3 in report
July 1, 2010 Chinook Salmon 4,745 2.4 in report
July 1, 2010 Chinook Salmon 15,167 2.3 in report
July 1, 2010 Chinook Salmon 5,133 2.4 in report
July 1, 2010 Chinook Salmon 6,306 2.5 in report
June 14, 2010 Chinook Salmon 31,163 2.3 in report
May 11, 2010 Rainbow Trout 10,010 4.8 in report
September 30, 2009 Chinook Salmon 2,810 5.9 in report
August 21, 2009 Rainbow Trout 4,000 1.8 in report
July 6, 2009 Chinook Salmon 1,500 2.2 in report
June 10, 2009 Rainbow Trout 4,569 6 in report
June 10, 2009 Arctic Char 1,530 6.9 in report
May 12, 2009 Rainbow Trout 7,339 5.7 in report
September 15, 2008 Chinook Salmon 2,562 6.9 in report
August 13, 2008 Arctic Char 1,134 8 in report
July 1, 2008 Chinook Salmon 280 2.2 in report
May 6, 2008 Rainbow Trout 6,687 7.2 in report
September 18, 2007 Chinook Salmon 3,182 6.9 in report
June 25, 2007 Chinook Salmon 60,871 2.3 in report
June 25, 2007 Chinook Salmon 33,224 2.3 in report
June 4, 2007 Arctic Char 2,600 7.7 in report
May 8, 2007 Rainbow Trout 11,571 5.8 in report
April 24, 2007 Arctic Char 14,000 0.9 in report
November 21, 2006 Arctic Char 11,787 4.4 in report
June 13, 2006 Arctic Char 11,050 1.8 in report
June 9, 2006 Chinook Salmon 19,724 4 in report
May 9, 2006 Rainbow Trout 1,900 9.1 in report
September 28, 2005 Chinook Salmon 2,197 8.3 in report
May 10, 2005 Rainbow Trout 4,050 8.7 in report
May 5, 2005 Arctic Char 1,328 8.7 in report
December 1, 2004 Arctic Char 24 26.2 in report
December 1, 2004 Arctic Char 16 22.2 in report
October 6, 2004 Chinook Salmon 2,235 8.4 in report
May 11, 2004 Rainbow Trout 5,700 8.3 in report
September 24, 2003 Chinook Salmon 2,627 7.7 in report
May 16, 2003 Rainbow Trout 3,784 8.8 in report
May 16, 2003 Arctic Char 1,295 9.1 in report
May 13, 2003 Rainbow Trout 1,945 8.6 in report
October 11, 2002 Chinook Salmon 5,967 7.9 in report
September 5, 2002 Arctic Char 9,746 3.6 in report
June 7, 2002 Rainbow Trout 1,850 9.7 in report
June 7, 2002 Rainbow Trout 2,220 9.1 in report
May 14, 2002 Rainbow Trout 1,761 8.8 in report
October 15, 2001 Chinook Salmon 6,214 8.5 in report
July 2, 2001 Rainbow Trout 995 8.4 in report
May 15, 2001 Rainbow Trout 1,750 9.6 in report
May 7, 2001 Rainbow Trout 8,476 9 in report
October 9, 2000 Salmonid Hybrid 3,185 9.4 in report
August 29, 2000 Salmonid Hybrid 1,437 8.2 in report
May 9, 2000 Rainbow Trout 973 3.8 in report
May 9, 2000 Rainbow Trout 9,236 8.1 in report
May 9, 2000 Arctic Char 1,148 9.8 in report
November 8, 1999 Chinook Salmon 4,035 8.2 in report
October 12, 1999 Arctic Char 850 4.1 in report
April 29, 1999 Rainbow Trout 1,946 9.1 in report
April 27, 1999 Rainbow Trout 7,359 8.1 in report
May 12, 1998 Rainbow Trout 3,903 6.7 in report
May 8, 1997 Rainbow Trout 3,919 8.8 in report
September 10, 1996 Arctic Char 3,100 3.9 in report
July 1, 1996 Rainbow Trout 2,492 8.3 in report
June 26, 1996 Rainbow Trout 4,894 8.1 in report
June 10, 1996 Rainbow Trout 2,937 7.6 in report
May 21, 1996 Rainbow Trout 1,078 7.8 in report
June 13, 1995 Rainbow Trout 2,466 8.4 in report
June 7, 1995 Rainbow Trout 4,454 8.3 in report
May 16, 1995 Rainbow Trout 4,952 8.4 in report
August 22, 1994 Rainbow Trout 225 12.5 in report
July 7, 1994 Rainbow Trout 3,218 2.1 in report
June 14, 1994 Rainbow Trout 6,773 8.1 in report
May 19, 1994 Rainbow Trout 2,540 8.2 in report
May 6, 1994 Coho Salmon 6,200 3.1 in report
July 13, 1993 Rainbow Trout 3,100 1.9 in report
June 22, 1993 Rainbow Trout 4,885 8.5 in report
May 25, 1993 Rainbow Trout 2,464 8.1 in report
May 3, 1993 Coho Salmon 6,200 2.9 in report
July 8, 1992 Rainbow Trout 300 15.7 in report
May 13, 1992 Rainbow Trout 4,011 8.4 in report
May 8, 1992 Coho Salmon 12,287 3 in report
April 29, 1992 Rainbow Trout 4,046 8.5 in report
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Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

Nearest lakes