Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 06, 2017

Week of July 6 to July 12

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

• Before you go fishing, ALWAYS review the applicable 2017 Sport Fishing Regulations booklet which are available online and at local vendors!
• Sport fishing licenses, King Stamps, Personal Use Dipnet, and Prince William Sound Shrimp permits are available for purchase on the ADF&G Online Store.
• Anglers can visit the ADF&G Hatcheries and Stocking webpage for more information regarding when and where fish are stocked. Most lakes in the Anchorage area have been stocked.
• Ship Creek is currently OPEN to salmon fishing from the mouth to a cable 100 feet below the Chugach Power Plant Dam. Beginning July 14; Ship Creek will be CLOSED to king salmon fishing in this area. The remainder of the creek up to 300 feet above the Elmendorf Power Plant Dam, near the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery, is CLOSED YEAR ROUND to ALL fishing.
• Campbell Creek: select areas of the creek opened to fishing for fish species other than salmon on Thursday, June 15. Make sure you check the 2017 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for new fishing closures starting from the upstream side of Lake Otis Parkway Bridge. CAMPBELL CREEK IS CLOSED TO ALL SALMON FISHING UNTIL JULY 14. Coho (silver) salmon ONLY will open on July 14. No other salmon may be targeted or retained on Campbell Creek.
• Chester Creek: select areas of the creek opened to fishing for fish species other than salmon on Thursday, June 15. NO SALMON FISHING IS ALLOWED ON CHESTER CREEK.
• Bird Creek (entire drainage) is closed to ALL fishing January 1 – July 13. The creek will open to salmon fishing, EXCEPT king salmon, on July 14.
• Symphony Lake opened to fishing on Saturday, July 1. Arctic Grayling limits are five per day, five in possession; only one fish may be greater than 12 inches in length.
• Eagle River (entire drainage) is closed to king salmon fishing.

Stream Fishing

Salmon

• 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. Beginning July 14; there will be no fishing time restrictions on Ship Creek.
• King fishing has slowed down at Ship Creek but fish are still being caught mainly on the incoming tide.
• With the exception of downstream section of Ship Creek all 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: Brush up on your fish identification before you head out fishing. Test your fish identification knowledge with the new Pacific Salmon ID Quiz.

Trout/Dolly Varden

• Effective June 15, specific areas of Campbell Creek and Chester Creek opened to fishing for species other than salmon. Campbell Creek remains CLOSED TO ALL FISHING below Dimond Boulevard and in the stretch of river from Shelikof Street to Piper Street. Above Piper Street is open to catch and release only effective June 15. Check the regulation booklet for more specifics.
• Fishing for Dolly Varden and rainbow trout has been good on Campbell Creek. The creek is stocked with rainbow. Try fishing small spinners or bead-head nymphs in deep pools and along cutbanks.
• Be aware that habitat restoration work is being conducted on Campbell Creek. Please obey all signs and stay on designated trails in these areas to reduce damaging all the hard work. This habitat work is going to help improve fish habitat on the creek. A great new fishing platform has been installed above the Dimond Bridge!

Lake Fishing

General

• Anchorage area lakes were stocked with rainbow trout last week. Bait under a bobber and small spinners or flies are all good methods for targeting stocked trout. Fishing should be fun!
• 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 opened Saturday, July 1. Great grayling fishing can be found in the lake but no reports to date. Small spinners and flies (dry flies and nymphs) work well on these fish.

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 is closed in both salt and fresh waters.