Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 15, 2016

Anchorage Area

Week of June 14 to June 21
Issued June 15, 2016

General Area Description: All waters draining into the east side of Knik arm south of, and including, the Eklutna River drainage, and all waters draining into the north and west sides of Turnagain Arm, and all waters draining into the south side of Turnagain Arm east of, and including, Ingram Creek.

Regulation Reminders

• Campbell Creek (entire drainage) is currently closed to all salmon fishing.
• Campbell Creek from an ADF&G marker near Shelikof St. upstream to ADF&G marker on the upstream side of the Lake Otis Pkwy Bridge is closed year-round to all fishing.
• Campbell Creek from its mouth upstream to ADF&G markers under the Dimond Blvd. Bridge—including Campbell Lake—is closed year-round to all fishing.
• Chester Creek (entire drainage) is closed to year round to all salmon fishing.
• Bird Creek (entire drainage) is closed to fishing January 1 – July 13.
• Symphony Lake is closed to fishing May 1 – June 30.
• Hooligan (smelt) dipnetting closed June 1 in salt water. Fresh water will close at 11:59 pm on June 15.

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 6am to 11pm from the mouth up to the cable crossing roughly 100 feet below the Chugach Power Plant dam.
• King salmon fishing on Ship Creek was good again this week. The annual “Slam’n Salm’n” is being held this week by the Downtown Soup Kitchen, so make sure to stop by and get your derby ticket before hitting the water. On the incoming tide and at slack high tide, casting terminal tackle (e.g.- Vibraxes) has been producing good sized-fish. Those soaking Spin’n’glows with roe have done particularly during the outgoing tide. Fishing home-cured salmon roe can make a big difference for catch rate.
• All other waters (except weekend fishery on Eagle River, June 18-20) 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.

Trout:

• Trout and Dolly fishing in open sections of Campbell, Chester, and Ship Creek opened on June 15.
• Trout fishing is expected to be good on Chester and Campbell Creeks as stocked trout have had time to spread out throughout the drainages with no angling pressure. Try fishing small spinners or bead-head nymphs in deep pools and along cutbanks.

Lake Fishing

General:

• At this point in time the William Jack Hernandez Sportfish Hatchery has stocked most Anchorage and surrounding area lakes. Check the Stocking Update when planning a trip to the local lakes.
• The fish that were stocked a few weeks ago have begun to spread out and acclimate to their new lake environments. As we move further into summer, fish will become pickier and more selective of lures, flies, and bait. Try imitating natural prey they may encounter in the lakes like insects (e.g.- damsel or dragonfly nymphs, midges), leeches, and small fish. Bait (e.g.- single eggs or roe) under a bobber is always a reliable method for targeting stocked trout. Bead-head nymphs have been producing throughout the day on the Anchorage lakes.
• With the warm, summer-like weather we are expected to have this week, focus efforts early in the morning or late in the evening, as fish tend to hunker down deep when the sun is high. On hot days, try fishing near cover or shade where fish can get relief from the direct light of the sun.
• In town, action has been reported to be good on Cheney, Taku-Campbell, and Campbell Point lakes in the late afternoon.
• 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 thru 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.
• Very late in the evening can be a good time to target these predatory fish.
• Please respect private property and quiet hours around Lower Fire Lake. Using a boat will increase your success rate substantially.

Hooligan

General:

• Dipnetting for hooligan in Saltwater closed June 1 and in freshwater closes June 15.
• For more information on hooligan dipnetting and hooligan dipnetting regulations, see Page 14 of the 2016 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations summary booklets.