Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 10, 2016

 Anchorage Area

Week of May 9 to May 15
Issued May 9, 2016

Regulation Reminders

• Ship Creek is closed to fishing from the Chugach Power Plant Dam upstream to Reeves Boulevard April 15 – June 14.
• Campbell Creek (entire drainage) is closed to fishing April 15 – June 14.
• Chester Creek (entire drainage) is closed to fishing April 15 – June 14.
• Bird Creek (entire drainage) is closed to fishing January 1 – July 13.
• Symphony Lake is closed to fishing May 1 – June 30.
• Eagle River (entire drainage) is closed to king salmon fishing. A section between the Bailey Bridge to an ADF&G marker at the Alaska State Park’s Campground will open to Kings on a weekend basis beginning Memorial Day Weekend (May 28-30).

Fishing Tip: Before you go fishing ALWAYS review the sport fishing regulations.

For additional information about regulations in the Anchorage Bowl look in the 2016 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulation Summary.

Sport fishing licenses and King Stamps are available for purchase online at the ADF&G Online Store. Personal Use Dipnet and Shrimp Permits can be obtained online as well.

Stream Fishing

Salmon:

• Ship Creek is the only stream in the Anchorage area currently open to king salmon fishing. Fishing on Ship Creek is open from the mouth up to the cable crossing roughly 100 feet below the Chugach Power Plant dam.
• It is still early for king salmon in Ship Creek. There are no confirmed catches of King salmon at Ship yet, but it is good time to begin scouting for the arrival of the first kings. Try fishing roe or casting spinners below the last bridge right as the tide starts to flood.
• All other waters in the Anchorage Management Area are currently closed to king salmon fishing.
• If you are successful and would like to report a catch please contact the Sport Fish Information Center at 267-2218.

Fishing Tip: It has been a long winter. Brush up on your fish identification before you head out fishing. Test your fish identification knowledge with the new Pacific Salmon ID Quiz here: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSportFishingInfo.quiz .

Trout:

• All of Campbell Creek, Chester Creek, and portions of Ship Creek are currently closed to fishing to protect spawning rainbow trout.

Lake Fishing

• General:
• The WJH Sportfish Hatchery has begun making their stocking rounds to Anchorage area lakes. Since ice out, fishing has been good around town and should only get better as large quantities of fish are stocked.
• Often after fish are stocked, they remain in large schools. Spend some time searching for these schools. Once a school is found, fishing can be great with consistent action.
• Fish are usually not picky in the spring. Try casting lures (e.g.- small Mepps) or wet flies (wooly buggers and nymphs) to attract aggressive fish. Good catch rates have been reported for those that fish bait (e.g.- eggs) under a bobber. In the evening, watch for fish rising, as this is a great time to fish dry and surface flies.
• Lakes to try out in Anchorage include Cheney, Jewel, Little Campbell Lake, and Delong. Those with canoe, small boat, or float tube access could have great success on Sand or Mirror Lake.
• APU/University Lake & West Chester Lagoon:
• APU/University Lake as well as West Chester Lagoon are part of the Chester Creek Drainage and are currently closed until June 14 to protect wild spawning rainbow trout.

Fishing Tip: To improve your success in local stocked lakes review the lake bathymetric (Bottom depth profile) map as well as recent stocking data online. This will help you determine what type of fish you are fishing for and where they might be. Often a little walk or getting away from the pack will provide rewards.
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSport.region&StockingAreaID=2

Northern Pike

• There are very few opportunities for Northern Pike in Anchorage as they are not native to the region. ADF&G has taken steps to keep pike out of Anchorage lakes.
• Lower Fire Lake is the closest place to find Northern Pike in the Anchorage Area.
• Pike are fun to fly fish for using frog, mouse and duckling patterns.
• Casting or trolling spinners and small plugs are successful techniques for catching Pike on Lower Fire Lake.
• Please respect Private Property around Lower Fire Lake. Using a boat will increase your success rate substantially.

Hooligan

• Open season for hooligan (smelt) in salt waters is April 1–May 31; in fresh waters, it is April 1–June 15. There is no bag or possession limit for personal use smelt. Hooligan may be taken by dip net in any fresh or salt water during this time period.
• This is a personal-use fishery and only Alaska residents can participate. No permit is required, but you do need an Alaska resident fishing license or ADF&G Permanent ID card with you.
• 20 Mile River:
• Hooligan are being caught in good numbers in the 20 Mile River each tide. Fishing has been rated fair to good. Success is directly tied to the point in the tide cycle in which you fish. Two hours before and after high tide are when catch rates have been reported to be the greatest.
• For your safety, and for the safety of others, please park well off the highway. Do not trespass on the railroad tracks or the railroad right-of-way. Please be respectful and take all your trash with you, don’t throw it on the ground.
• For more information on hooligan dipnetting and hooligan dipnetting regulations, see Page 14 of the 2016 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations summary booklets.