Matanuska Lake fishing

Matanuska Lake fishing is stocked with Rainbow Trout, Coho Salmon, Arctic Char, Chinook Salmon, Salmonid Hybrid, and Lake Trout on a natural lake. 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.

AI-generated illustration, not a photo of this lake

Last stocked: September 15, 2026; Sep 15 · Lake Trout
Plants on record: 165; Since 1992
Species recorded: 6
Average size: 8.1 in
Elevation: 53 ft

Fish at Matanuska Lake

6 stocked · 0 confirmed present

Rainbow Trout Stocked · 68 plants · last May 15, 2026 Best: dawn, dusk

Last stocked May 15, 2026 · avg 8.3 in · 68 plants

Best: dawn, dusk

Rainbow Trout species guide

Arctic Char Stocked · 51 plants · last August 6, 2025

Last stocked August 6, 2025 · avg 9.5 in · 51 plants

Chinook Salmon Stocked · 35 plants · last October 4, 2024

Last stocked October 4, 2024 · avg 6.6 in · 35 plants

Chinook Salmon species guide

Coho Salmon Stocked · 5 plants · last October 2, 2025

Last stocked October 2, 2025 · avg 4.7 in · 5 plants

Coho Salmon species guide

Lake Trout Stocked · 4 plants · last September 15, 2026 Best: dawn

Last stocked September 15, 2026 · avg 5 in · 4 plants

Best: dawn

Lake Trout species guide

Salmonid Hybrid Stocked · 2 plants · last October 9, 2000

Last stocked October 9, 2000 · avg 8.8 in · 2 plants

How Matanuska Lake is stocked

Source: Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Fish stocked in 1992

20,644

Fish stocked in 1993

16,649

Fish stocked in 1994

18,956

Fish stocked in 1995

11,872

Fish stocked in 1996

14,501

Fish stocked in 1997

3,919

Fish stocked in 1998

3,903

Fish stocked in 1999

14,190

Fish stocked in 2000

15,979

Fish stocked in 2001

17,435

Fish stocked in 2002

21,544

Fish stocked in 2003

9,651

Fish stocked in 2004

7,975

Fish stocked in 2005

7,575

Fish stocked in 2006

44,461

Fish stocked in 2007

125,448

Fish stocked in 2008

10,663

Fish stocked in 2009

21,748

Fish stocked in 2010

94,374

Fish stocked in 2011

4,699

Fish stocked in 2012

21,527

Fish stocked in 2013

7,741

Fish stocked in 2014

9,987

Fish stocked in 2015

7,860

Fish stocked in 2016

7,364

Fish stocked in 2017

7,961

Fish stocked in 2018

6,201

Fish stocked in 2019

8,440

Fish stocked in 2020

9,340

Fish stocked in 2021

5,130

Fish stocked in 2022

14,678

Fish stocked in 2023

19,361

Fish stocked in 2024

25,008

Fish stocked in 2025

6,893

Fish stocked in 2026

5,674

Stocking history

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

Access and facts

Water type: natural lake
Nearest town: Palmer, AK
Facilities: restrooms, camping, dock

Part of Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area off the Glenn Highway at MP 36.4, west of Palmer. A 75-yard trail leads from a large gravel lot to a hardened-gravel launch dock and an ADA fishing dock. Public shore access is limited to the park; most shoreline is private. $7/day parking.

Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.

View larger map · Open in Google Maps · Directions

Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Alaska Department of Fish and Game before you go.

Nearest lakes

Leech Lake 0.5 mi last stocked May 20, 2026 Johnson Lake 0.8 mi last stocked June 8, 2017 Klaire Lake 0.9 mi last stocked June 3, 2026 Victor Lake 0.9 mi last stocked June 3, 2026 Loberg Lake 0.9 mi last stocked August 6, 2026

Common questions

What fish are at Matanuska Lake?

Fishing Matanuska Lake usually means Rainbow Trout: Rainbow Trout accounts for 68 of 165 plants on record, ahead of Arctic Char and 4 more. Rainbow Trout was last stocked May 15, 2026, averaging 8.3 in. Arctic Char was last stocked August 6, 2025, averaging 9.5 in. Chinook Salmon was last stocked October 4, 2024, averaging 6.6 in. Coho Salmon was last stocked October 2, 2025, averaging 4.7 in. 2 more species are on the stocking report.

When is Matanuska Lake stocked?

Last stocked September 15, 2026. It is stocked about 4.7 times a year since 1992, most often in May and June.

How big are the fish stocked at Matanuska Lake?

Stocked fish average 8.1 in. Rainbow Trout average 8.3 in. Arctic Char average 9.5 in. Chinook Salmon average 6.6 in. Coho Salmon average 4.7 in.

How do you get on Matanuska Lake?

The nearest town is Palmer, AK. Facilities include restrooms, camping, and dock. Part of Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area off the Glenn Highway at MP 36.4, west of Palmer. A 75-yard trail leads from a large gravel lot to a hardened-gravel launch dock and an ADA fishing dock. Public shore access is limited to the park; most shoreline is private. $7/day parking.

Sources (4) +