Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 15, 2014

Anchorage Area

Week of July 15 to July 22
Issued July 15, 2014

Regulation Reminders

• Bird Creek, from its mouth to an ADF&G marker, is now open to fishing (except king salmon) starting July 14 – December 31. The rest of the Bird Creek drainage remains closed to salmon fishing, and the entire drainage is always closed to king salmon fishing.
• Campbell Creek is closed to king and sockeye salmon fishing. Sections of Campbell Creek are open to fishing for silver salmon.
• Ship Creek, from its mouth to the marker near the Chugach Power plant dam, is open to fishing (except king salmon).
• Symphony Lake, the bag limit is 5 fish per day, 5 in possession, only 1 fish per day may be greater than 12 inches in length.

Fresh waters

Salmon

• All waters in the Anchorage Management Area are closed to king salmon fishing. Please immediately release any king salmon that is hooked while fishing for other species.
• Pink, chum, and silver salmon are starting to arrive in Turnagain Arm streams. It is a great time to continue working on the Five Salmon Family Challenge.
• Sections of Campbell Creek are open for silver fishing, although silvers may be present in low numbers.
• Ship Creek remains behind on kings salmon escapement, but is improving. People are reporting silvers being present in Ship Creek, although fishing is still slow. All king salmon caught incidentally need to be released immediately.
• Bird Creek is open to salmon fishing, salmon other than king salmon that is. Be careful when fishing in bear country. We have had many reports of bears in this area.

Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic Grayling

Creek Fishing

• Campbell Creek and Chester Creek have both been stocked with rainbows. Both creeks have good visibility and fishing should be good. Trout are keying in on eggs from spawning salmon. Fishermen will improve their catches by using egg imitation patterns.

Lake Fishing

• All Anchorage Area stocked lakes have been stocked with their second round of rainbow trout.
• Check the ADF&G web site for lakes that may have been stocked near you:
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=SportStockingHatcheriesSearch.main
• Anglers have been reporting better success early in the morning or later in the evening. During these periods the fish are more actively feeding although fish are still being caught throughout the day.
• Fishermen have been doing well from the shore, but many fishermen are increasing their catches by getting away from the easily accessible parts of the lake by either using a canoe or float tube. If you do go out in a boat make sure to be safe and wear a life jacket. After boating and before you go into another lake or stream please help reduce the transmission of invasive species by cleaning, draining, drying, and decontaminating your boat and gear.
• Symphony Lake has produced some nice grayling catches. This is a great option for a nice hike and good fishing combined. Fishermen are reporting catching grayling by both fly and spinning tackle. Try fishing the outlet; many fish have a tendency to congregate in this area.

Northern Pike

• Late evening hours are a good time to spear, or to shoot pike with bow and arrow. A reminder, if you are bow-hunting for pike, the arrow has to be attached to a string and the string to your bow.
• Surface lures are also a fun way to fish pike. Try frog, mouse and duckling patterns that make a lot of movement on the lake surface – both fly and spinning tackle can be used.
• Try for pike at Lower Fire Lake and Otter Lake.