Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 06, 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

• 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.

Emergency Orders

• Per Emergency Order No. 2-KS-2-26-18, effective Tuesday, July 3, 2018, Ship Creek is closed to all sport fishing from its mouth upstream to a cable 100 feet downstream of the Chugach Power Plant Dam through 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 14, 2018.
  • Ship Creek, from the cable 100 feet below the Chugach Power Plant Dam up to 300 feet above the Elmendorf Power Plant Dam (near the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery) is always CLOSED YEAR ROUND to ALL fishing.

Regulation Reminders

• Select areas of Campbell Creek opened to fishing for fish species other than salmon on June 15. Make sure you check the Southcentral Regulation 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.
• 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.
• The entire Bird Creek drainage is closed to ALL sport fishing until July 14.
  • KING SALMON FISHING IS NEVER ALLOWED ON BIRD CREEK.
• The entire Eagle River drainage is closed to king salmon fishing.
• Symphony Lake opened to fishing on July 1.

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• Ship Creek is CLOSED to ALL fishing through 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 14, 2018.
• All other waters in the Anchorage Management Area are currently closed to king salmon fishing.

Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

• Trout and Dolly Varden fishing opened on many parts of Campbell Creek on June 15. Try fishing small spinners or bead-head nymphs in deep pools and along cutbanks.
• Campbell and Chester creeks are stocked with rainbow trout and provide a great local after work spot to catch rainbow trout and Dolly Varden.
• Please review the 2018 Southcentral Regulation Summary Booklet before going fishing and remember, salmon fishing is CLOSED and some areas are catch-and-release ONLY on Campbell Creek
   

 

Lake Fishing

• Now is a great time to get out and fish local lakes. Warm temperatures keep fish holding in the shade and deep holes during the day. Your best bet is to fish the lakes early or late in the day.
• To attract stocked rainbows, try casting small lures or wet flies. Bait under a bobber is also a good option. In the evening, watch for fish rising, and try fishing dry and surface flies.
• Symphony Lake opened on Sunday, July 1. This is a great hike and place to catch grayling! Reports have come in of good catches of fish in this lake!
• APU/University Lake and West Chester Lagoon are in the Chester Creek drainage which opened to fishing for rainbow trout on June 15.
• The ADF&G Hatcheries and Stocking webpage provides information about when, where, and how many fish have been stocked statewide!

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, just be mindful of private property boundaries.

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.