Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage
Archived Sport Fishing Report
July 26, 2017
Week of July 27 to August 2
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
- Emergency Order No. 2-KS-2-26-17 expires on Monday, July 31 at 11:59 p.m. Effective August 1; king salmon may NOT be retained on Ship Creek.
- Ship Creek is currently OPEN to salmon fishing from the mouth to a cable 100 feet below the Chugach Power Plant Dam. 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.
- Before you go fishing ALWAYS review the 2017 Sport Fishing Regulations available online and at local vendors!
- Sport fishing licenses, King Stamps, Personal Use Dipnet, and Prince William Sound Shrimp Permits are available for purchase at 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.
- Campbell Creek is open to fishing for coho salmon and fish species other than salmon from the Dimond Boulevard Bridge up to Shelikof Street and also from Lake Otis Parkway Bridge to ADF&G markers near Piper Street. The area between Shelikof Street and Lake Otis Parkway Bridge is always CLOSED to ALL fishing. Above Piper Street, there is no salmon fishing allowed and there is no retention of rainbow trout/steelhead allowed. Besides coho salmon in select areas, no other salmon species may be targeted or retained anywhere on Campbell Creek. Check the 2017 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for specifics and a map.
- Chester Creek: select areas of Chester Creek opened to fishing for fish species other than salmon on June 15. NO SALMON FISHING IS ALLOWED ON CHESTER CREEK.
- Bird Creek opened to salmon fishing, EXCEPT king salmon, on July 14. Salmon limits (except king salmon) are three per day, three in possession, if 16 inches or greater. The bag limit for salmon less than 16 inches in length is ten per day, ten in possession.
- Symphony Lake opened to fishing on 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) remains 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. There are currently no fishing time restrictions on Ship Creek.
- Coho salmon fishing continues to pick up daily. Anglers have success on both bait and hardware.
- FISHING FOR KING SALMON IS VERY SLOW, THERE ARE NOT MANY kings but, if you catch a king salmon prior to August 1 while targeting coho salmon, you will be able to retain it and continue fishing for coho salmon. For information, review Emergency Order No. 2-KS-2-26-17.
- With the exception of downstream section of Ship Creek, all waters in the Anchorage Management Area are currently closed to king salmon fishing until July 31.
- Fishing on Bird Creek has still been a little slow but coho, chum, and pinks were being caught. Make sure you know how to identify your salmon. Retaining king salmon on Bird Creek is NOT ALLOWED. Please obey regulation and private property signs.
- 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
- 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 have been great fishing fun during the nice round of weather! Mornings and evenings were the best times. Bait, small spinners, and flies are all good methods for targeting stocked trout
- Sand Lake has LOTS of catchable size rainbows right now! Try accessing the lake through one of the public access points with a kayak or canoe.
- 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 July 1. Great grayling fishing can be found in the lake. Recent reports indicate that dry flies are your ticket to catching these fish but be prepared to try lots of methods.
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.