Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 29, 2014

Anchorage Area

Week of July 29 to August 5
Issued July 29, 2014

Regulation Reminders

• 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.
• Bird Creek, from its mouth upstream to the ADF&G marker, is now open to fishing (except king salmon). The rest of the Bird Creek drainage remains closed to salmon fishing and the entire drainage is always closed to king salmon fishing.
• Sections of Campbell Creek are open to fishing for silver salmon, but this creek remains closed to all other salmon fishing.
• Ship Creek, from its mouth to the ADF&G marker near the Chugach Power plant dam, is open to fishing (except king salmon).
• Symphony Lake, the arctic grayling bag limit is 5 fish per day, 5 in possession, only 1 fish per day may be greater than 12 inches in length.
• Sections of streams at the head of Turnagain arm are now closed to all fishing by regulation.

For more details see the Southcentral Regulation.

Fresh waters

Salmon

• Pink, chum, and silver salmon are starting to arrive to 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, and fishing has been variable depending on the water level and water clarity. Silver salmon are present and fishing should be picking up as soon as the water drops.
• People are reporting silver salmon being caught in Ship Creek and fishing is good. Fishermen are having higher success late at night or early in the morning. Fishermen are having success using both spinners and bait. All king salmon caught incidentally must be released immediately.
• Bird Creek is open to salmon fishing (except king salmon). Fishermen are reporting good numbers of pink and chum salmon. The best fishing is on the flood and ebb tides. 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 rainbow trout. Both creeks have poor water clarity from the recent rains. Fishing will be difficult in the high and turbid water.

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.
• Fishermen are reporting good catches of rainbow trout in West Chester Lagoon using both bait below a bobber or spinners. West Chester Lagoon is part of the Chester Creek Drainage and is stocked with rainbow trout; therefore the limits for stocked waters apply. Chester Creek is closed to all salmon fishing
• Symphony Lake is 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 for 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 fishing for pike at Lower Fire Lake and Otter Lake.