Tanana Drainage Management Area
Fishing Opportunities
Delta Clearwater River
Description
The Delta Clearwater River (DCR) is a small spring-fed stream located approximately 10 miles north of Delta Junction. In the summer, the river supports a large population of Arctic grayling that provides excellent sport angling. The river is small and low gradient, water is clear and very cold. Arctic grayling can be caught in the DCR from May through September. Coho or silver salmon return to the DCR in late-September. This is one of the last open water sport fisheries of the Interior, and after travelling over 1000 miles from the Bering Sea, these salmon are not prime for the grill, however they are enjoyable to catch-and-release.
Tackle
If fly fishing for Arctic grayling in the DCR you will want to try to “match the hatch” with dry flies. There are a number of aquatic insect hatches throughout the summer, often making fishing with the right fly very productive. When dry flies aren’t working so well, fishing with nymphs usually works well for fly fishers. Anglers using spinning gear will find that small spoons, spinners, and jigs also provide high catch rates. Cast into pools and slack water eddies for the best success. When fishing for coho salmon in the fall use bright and flashy pink or green streamer flies; or if using spinning gear, try bright Pixie spoons, Crocodile spoons or Vibrax spinners.
Getting There
There is very little public property where shore-based anglers can fish on the DCR, therefore the river is best accessed for angling by jet boat, canoe or kayak. However, there is some shore fishing available in the vicinity of the Clearwater State Recreation Site, which is where both power boaters and floaters usually launch. The river can also be accessed by jet boat from the Tanana River via the Big Delta boat launch at the Richardson Highway Bridge. The river makes for a great day float trip (Class I), putting in at the Clearwater State Recreation Site and floating either to Clearwater Lake or to the Tanana River, and taking out at Big Delta. Information about floating the river is available at the Alaska State Parks Delta Clearwater Float Guide.
Species
Dates
Ends: October 304
Regulations
Before you go fishing please check the regulations.