Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 03, 2016

 Anchorage Area

Week of August 3 to August 9
Issued August 3

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

• All waters in the Anchorage Bowl are closed to King salmon fishing.
• Campbell Creek is open to coho fishing July 14–September 30 from the ADF&G markers under Dimond Blvd. bridge to ADF&G markers near Shelikof Street. In addition, coho fishing is open from ADF&G markers on the upstream side of the Lake Otis bridge to an ADF&G marker located near Piper Street. See the regulation book for a detailed map. The limit for coho salmon is 3 per day, 3 in possession.
• Campbell Creek upstream of the forks near Piper Street open to fishing non-salmon species. Only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure is allowed. No retention of rainbow trout or steelhead is allowed. Check the regulations for specific regulations on fishing non-salmon species throughout the drainage.
• Chester Creek (entire drainage) is closed to year round to all salmon fishing.
• Bird Creek opened to fishing July 14–December 31 for salmon EXCEPT king salmon. The limit is 3 salmon per day/3 in possession for fish 16 inches or longer. Check the regulation book for additional restrictions.

Stream Fishing

Salmon:

Ship Creek:

• Ship Creek is currently closed to king salmon fishing. No retention of king salmon is allowed in Ship Creek.
• Ship Creek is open to fishing for coho salmon 24 hours a day from the mouth up to the cable crossing roughly 100 feet below the Chugach Power Plant dam.
•  It was reported that first larger schools of coho have been entering the creek over the last week. Anglers are reporting catches of one’s and two’s, but very few limits have been reported. Try casting size #5 Vibrax on the incoming tide and soak roe under a float/bobber as the tide just begins to go out.

Campbell Creek:

• Sections of Campbell Creek opened to coho salmon fishing on July 14. Check the regulation book as there are restrictions and the entire creek is NOT open to coho fishing.
• Fishing for coho salmon on Campbell Creek has been spotty. Between rain events, Campbell Creek has been dropping below historic average water levels; this can make for tough coho fishing. Anglers are having best luck immediately after a rain event and fishing roe in deep pools or bends.

Bird Creek:

• Bird Creek opened to coho salmon fishing as of July 14 from its mouth upstream approximately 500 yards to an ADF&G marker.
• Coho are being caught each tide on Bird Creek. Coho have been caught on the incoming tide while soaking roe or casting Vibraxes. A few anglers have reported some bright chums.

If you are successful and would like to report a catch please contact the Sport Fish Information Center at 267-2218.

Trout:

• Trout fishing is open in sections of Campbell, Chester, and Ship creeks. Only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure is allowed. Check the regulations to make sure you are fishing in the open areas!
• Trout fishing has been good on Chester and Campbell creeks. Try fishing egg patterns and beads near spawning salmon for good Dolly Varden and rainbow trout action on Campbell.

Lake Fishing

General:

• The recent rain and good cloud coverage has had a positive effect on lake fishing in Anchorage, slowly dropping the lake temperature from their summer-time highs. Fish have been reported to be moving and active. Try fishing black leeches or bead-head nymphs. 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.
• Try Campbell Point, Sand, or Taku-Campbell lakes as they have been stocked most recently. Rabbit Lake is an often overlooked lake with a scenic 4.4-mile hike (each way); fish were stocked here at the end of June and have seen very little pressure.

Symphony Lake:

• Symphony Lake is open for grayling fishing and fishing was reported as good. Do not forget to take a measuring tape with you since only one fish may be greater than 12 inches in length. The daily and possession limit is 5 grayling of those only one can be greater than 12 inches.
• Anglers are doing well on both flies (e.g. Parachute Adams and nymphs) and spinners (e.g. Roostertails and Mepps).
• Early morning and later afternoon before or after the mid-day breeze are great times to target grayling at Symphony Lake.

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

• Hooligan dipnetting is closed. For additional information on hooligan dipnetting and hooligan dipnetting regulations, see Page 14 of the 2016 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations summary booklets.