Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 18, 2018

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

Regulation Reminders

• Anglers are reminded to review Emergency Orders and News Releases and the 2018 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the Anchorage Area before heading out on their next fishing trip.
• 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.
• The entire Campbell Creek drainage is closed to all sport fishing from April 15 - June 14.
• The entire Chester Creek drainage is closed to all sport fishing from April 15 - June 14. NO SALMON FISHING IS ALLOWED ON CHESTER CREEK.
• The entire Bird Creek drainage is closed to all sport fishing from January 1 - July 13. NO KING SALMON FISHING IS ALLOWED ON BIRD CREEK.
• Symphony Lake is closed to all sport fishing from May 1 - June 30.
• The entire Eagle River 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.

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• The first Ship Creek king salmon was caught on Thursday, May 17, 2018.
• If you are feeling lucky and you are itching to wet a line for kings Ship Creek is the place in the Anchorage area. Ship Creek is the only stream in the Anchorage area currently open to king salmon fishing. Anglers can fish on Ship Creek from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. between May 15 - July 13. Fishing on Ship Creek is open from the mouth of Ship Creek up to the cable crossing roughly 100 feet below the Chugach Power Plant dam. You might try floating roe under a bobber.
• 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 (907) 267-2218.

Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

• 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

• Nearly all lakes in the Anchorage Management area, including JBER lakes, have been stocked with rainbow trout over the last two weeks. Get out and enjoy some ice free fishing action! Anglers can visit the ADF&G Hatcheries and Stocking webpage for more information regarding when and where fish are stocked.
• Often after fish are stocked, they remain in large schools. Spend some time searching for these schools. Anglers have been having a great time catching these freshly stocked rainbows!

Fishing Tip: To improve your success in local stocked lakes review the lake bathymetric (bottom depth profile) map online. These maps can reveal structure and other locations where fish may likely 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 area 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 (907) 267-2218. Anglers are not allowed to release live pike back into the water.

Personal Use

Hooligan

• Anglers can call the ADF&G dedicated hooligan hotline at (907) 267-2515 for updates.
• The open season for hooligan (smelt) in salt waters is April 1 - May 31; in fresh waters, it is April 1 - June 15. There is no bag or possession limit for personal use smelt. Hooligan may be taken by dip net in any fresh or salt water during the open season.
• This is a personal-use fishery and only Alaska residents can participate. No permit is required, but you do need a valid 2018 Alaska resident sport fishing license or an ADF&G Permanent fishing license ID card with you.

20-Mile River

• Hooligan catches in the 20-mile River continue to pick up. Catching a few hundred fish on the incoming tides hasn’t been a problem over the last few days.
• Hooligan run timing and run strength can be highly variable.
• For your safety, and for the safety of others, please follow the posted speed limits, slow down when pedestrians are present, and park well of the highway and not next to the guardrail. 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. Please obey all signs and do not block the boat launch.
• For additional information on dipnetting for hooligan see the 2018 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations summary booklet.
• Please contact the Sport Fish Information office at (907) 267-2218 if you have a fishing report you are willing to share or any questions about this fishery.