Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 29, 2016

 Anchorage Area

Week of June 29 to July 5
Issued June 29, 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 in both fresh and salt water is now closed.

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. Go here: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/Store/

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 reported to be fair this week. There are definitely still fish arriving each tide on Ship Creek, but anglers have reported catches of blushed fish and reduced catch rates. Home cured roe fished under a float or with a spin’n’glow continues to be the ticket at Ship. As we approach the final weeks of the king run, being creative down at the ditch might produce a late season king. Try casting or pulling plugs from the bank (e.g.- hot shots or medium-sized Kwikfish) or soaking bait fish such as Hooligan or herring. Ship Creek closes to king salmon fishing at 11pm on July 13 and will reopen to other salmon species July 14.
• Unsubstantiated rumors of coho milling near the mouth of Ship Creek have come in over the last few days. Silvers can be caught on similar gear used while targeting king salmon.
• All other waters in the Anchorage Management Area are currently closed 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. Only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure is allowed. Check the regulations to make sure you are fishing in the open areas!
• 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 egg patterns and beads.

Lake Fishing

General:

• The William Jack Hernandez Sportfish Hatchery has completed their second round of stocking to most Anchorage and surrounding area lakes. Check the Stocking Update when planning a trip to the local lakes.
• In the Anchorage lakes, you’ll have a mix of freshly stocked fish and fish that have had a few weeks to acclimate and grow in their lake environment. Try fishing black leeches or bead-head nymphs; smaller flies might trick some of the pickier fish stocked in the late spring. Bait under a bobber or float have continued to catch fish over the last few weeks; particularly roe or shrimp on a small bait hook.
• With more of 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 and West Chester Lagoon are in the Chester Creek drainage which opened to fishing for rainbow trout on June 15.

Symphony Lake:

• Symphony Lake will open on July 1.
• For the fly anglers, try dry flies, nymphs and small fry patterns for a shot at catching a fish from this unique population of grayling. Spinners like small Mepps and Roostertails are sure to catch a fishes eye.
• Early morning and later afternoon area great times to target grayling at Symphony Lake.
• 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:

• Hooligan dipnetting is now closed in both salt and fresh waters.
• For more information on hooligan dipnetting and hooligan dipnetting regulations, see Page 14 of the 2016 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations summary booklets.