Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 02, 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

• There are currently no emergency orders in affect for the Anchorage Area.

Regulation Reminders

• King salmon fishing is CLOSED in all Anchorage Bowl streams. Any kings caught must be immediately released. Kings are mixed in with coho salmon so be sure you know how to ID the difference! 
• Portions of Campbell Creek are open to coho salmon fishing. No other salmon species may be targeted or retained on Campbell Creek.
• Select areas of Chester Creek are open to fishing for fish species other than salmon.
  • NO SALMON FISHING IS ALLOWED ON CHESTER CREEK.
• The lower portion of Bird Creek is open to salmon fishing, except king salmon. King salmon fishing is NEVER allowed on Bird Creek. You are allowed to retain coho, pink, and chum salmon, which are included under “other salmon” in the 2018 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet. The bag and possession limit for other salmon over 16 inches are 3 per day, and only 3 in possession.
• Symphony Lake is open to fishing.
  • Please note that Chugach State Parks has opened the trailhead to Symphony Lake but suggests choosing an alternate hiking area due to recent bear activity.

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• Ship Creek is open to salmon fishing for all species except king salmon, from the cable below the dam to the mouth of the creek. Large schools of fresh coho salmon are moving into Ship Creek with each tide. Anglers have reported having success casting spinners or fishing cured salmon roe under a slip-bobber during the rising tide.
• Coho salmon fishing is open on Campbell Creek. The water level in Campbell Creek has been low and the water is clear. Rain will help coho salmon move in, but it causes the water visibility to decrease. This creek height will fluctuate day to day and during rain events. Some anglers have reported success fishing roe under a slip bobber, and casting spinners, but it’s still a little early in the season.
• Salmon fishing at Bird Creek has been fair. A few coho salmon have been picked up by anglers but more have reported catching pinks throughout the tide. Spinners or salmon roe under a slip-bobber have been the key for coho salmon during the incoming and outgoing tides. Bears have been reported walking the creek, so it is important that you keep a close eye on your catch and the surroundings. 

Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

• Trout and Dolly Varden fishing continues to be excellent on Campbell Creek. Try fishing single eggs, egg imitation flies, or trout beads behind spawning salmon. Catches of trout and Dolly Varden/ Arctic char have been reported from Dowling Road to the fishing holes downstream of Arctic Boulevard. The North fork and South fork of Campbell Creek are also great places to try for Dolly Varden/ Arctic char, but anglers should be cautious of bears in these areas.
• Salmon fishing is CLOSED in some areas, and other areas are catch-and-release ONLY for rainbow trout on Campbell Creek. Please review the 2018 Southcentral Regulation Summary Booklet before going fishing to make sure you are in the right area.

Lake Fishing

• Local lakes continue to fish well! 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 entice stocked rainbows to bite, 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.
• Mirror Lake has been fishing great. It’s a little further to get to but worth the travel!
• Nearby Beach Lake is also a good option but with limited shore access, a canoe or kayak will open up much more fishing opportunities.
• For those looking to stay in town for the weekend, Campbell Point and Cheney lakes have been producing good catches of stocked rainbow trout over the last several weeks. Sand Lake is a deep lake and has been known as good local spot during the late summer. Anglers will increase their odds in Sand if they have access to a small boat or canoe.
• Airstrip and Alder ponds are great options just outside of Anchorage, off of Portage Glacier Road. Large schools of hungry trout have been reported to have been circling around in these ponds.
• APU/University Lake and West Chester Lagoon are in the Chester Creek drainage which is currently open to fishing for rainbow trout. REMEMBER, Chester Creek Drainage is closed year-round to all salmon fishing.
• 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) maps 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.