Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 16, 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

• All waters in the Anchorage Bowl are closed to king salmon fishing.
  
• Campbell Creek is open to coho(silver) 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 is open to fishing for 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 information on fishing non-salmon species throughout the drainage.
• Chester Creek (entire drainage) is closed 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.

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 Dipnetting and PWS Shrimp Permits can be obtained online as well.

Emergency Order Currently in Effect

None

Stream Fishing:

With the recent rain events the water levels have increased and decreased clarity in the local creeks making fishing more challenging. Try using bait in deep holes to entice a strike. Leave the spawning kings alone.

 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.
• Coho have been entering the creek with each tide. 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 or fishing roe.

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. Anglers are having their best luck if they are willing to walk a little and fish roe in deep pools or bends.

Bird Creek:

• Bird Creek opened to coho salmon fishing 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 Vibrax spinners. A few chum and pinks are also being caught.

Turnagain Arm Streams:

• Coho are starting to arrive in streams along the Turnagain Arm. Being the first to the holding water will improve your success. Vary your gear if fishing is slow.

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 Creek. Check the regulations to make sure you are fishing in the open areas!
• Trout fishing has been good on Chester and Campbell Creek. On Campbell Creek try fishing egg patterns behind spawning salmon.

Lake Fishing:

• 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 bag and possession limit is 5 grayling. 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 late in the 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 is 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.