Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage
Archived Sport Fishing Report
June 08, 2017
Week of June 7 to June 13
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 and Emergency Orders
- Ship Creek is currently open to salmon fishing from the mouth to a cable 100 feet below the Chugach Power Plant Dam.
- Campbell Creek (entire drainage) is closed to fishing April 15 through June 14.
- Chester Creek (entire drainage) is closed to fishing April 15 through June 14.
- Bird Creek (entire drainage) is closed to fishing January 1 through July 13.
- Symphony Lake is closed to fishing May 1 through 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 king salmon fishing on a weekend basis beginning Memorial Day Weekend.
NEW REGULATIONS
- The NEW sport fishing regulation summary is available online and at local vendors!
- Ship Creek is closed YEAR ROUND to ALL fishing from 100 feet below the Chugach Power Plant Dam upstream to 300 feet above the Elmendorf Power Plant Dam, near the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery.
- A Ship Creek Youth-only king salmon fishery will take place on June 17 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The area open to youth-only is from the C Street Bridge upstream to the Bridge Restaurant. During this timeframe adults may assist youth fishing but only anglers 15 years old and younger may fish in this area.
- Campbell Creek from ADF&G markers on the upstream side of the Lake Otis Parkway Bridge to an ADF&G maker located near the forks at Piper Street, is only open to sport fishing from July 14 through September 30.
Fishing Tip: Before you go fishing ALWAYS review the 2017 Sport Fishing Regulations. For additional information about regulations in the Anchorage Area, please review the 2017 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulation Summary booklet.
Sport fishing licenses, King Stamps, Personal Use Dipnet, and Prince William Sound Shrimp Permits are available for purchase online at the ADF&G Online Store.
Stream Fishing
Salmon
- King fishing is consistent at Ship Creek but fish are being caught daily on each tide. Don’t forget your valid 2017 fishing license and king salmon stamp.
- The annual king salmon derby, Slam’n Salm’n Derby starts on Friday, June 9 and goes through June 18. Don’t forget to get your free derby ticket prior to fishing. This annual derby benefits the Downtown Soup Kitchen, a community organization assisting Anchorage’s working poor and homeless.
- Right now 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. Remember--This area is closed to fishing from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- 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.
Trout
- All of Campbell Creek, Chester Creek, and portions of Ship Creek are currently closed to fishing to protect spawning rainbow trout. The closure on Chester Creek includes East and West Chester Lagoon and APU/University Lake.
Lake Fishing
General
- Anglers can visit ADF&G's Hatcheries and Stocking webpage for more information regarding when and where fish are stocked. Cheney Lake was one of the more recently stocked lakes in Anchorage.
- Fish in Little Campbell Lake have been hanging in the shade recently. With warmer temperatures coming this will be the area you want to look for fish in all the Anchorage lakes.
- Try casting small lures or wet flies to attract these fish. Bait under a bobber is also a good option. In the evening, watch for fish rising, as this is a great time to fish dry and surface flies.
- Taku-Campbell Lake is one great place to take the kids for some rainbow trout action!
- Often after fish are stocked, they remain in large schools. Spend some time searching for these schools.
Fishing Tip: To improve your success in local stocked lakes review the lake bathymetric (bottom depth profile) map 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.
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. If you catch a Northern Pike in the Anchorage area, please contact the ADF&G Sport Fish Division immediately at 267-2218.
Hooligan
- Hooligan (smelt) in salt waters closed on May 31. In the fresh waters dipping for hooligan remains open until June 15. There is no bag or possession limit for personal use smelt.
- This is a personal-use fishery and only Alaska residents can participate. No permit is required, but you do need a current Alaska resident fishing license or ADF&G Permanent ID card with you.
20 Mile River
- Hooligan fishing has slow way down.
- The salt water section of this fishery closed on Wednesday, May 31. The fresh waters remain open through June 15.
- 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 the 2017 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations summary booklets.