Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 10, 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 three per day, and only three 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 consistent catches of coho salmon casting spinners or fishing cured salmon roe under a slip-bobber during the incoming tide.
• Coho salmon fishing is open on Campbell Creek. The recent rain in Anchorage has pushed coho salmon into Campbell Creek. As the water level recedes from these rain events, fish will settle into the deeper holes throughout the creek. Anglers have reported catches of coho salmon while fishing salmon roe on the bottom as well as under a slip-bobber. Try fishing the early morning or late evening to increase your chance of success, when Campbell Creek is low and clear.
• Salmon fishing at Bird Creek has been good. Anglers have reported steady catches of Coho salmon. Fishing roe under bobber during the incoming tide and casting spinners during outgoing tide have produced the most consistent catches at Bird Creek. Some anglers have even reported catching coho salmon stripping articulated leech flies. Bears have been reported walking the creek, so it is important that you keep a close eye on your catch and surroundings.

Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

• Trout and Dolly Varden fishing continues to be excellent on Campbell Creek. Try fishing egg imitation flies or trout beads behind spawning salmon. Flesh flies will begin to produce catches of trout as Chinook salmon spawns draws to an end.
• 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 stocked lakes continue to fish well! Warm temperatures keep fish holding in the shade during the day. Your best bet is to fish the lakes early or late in the day.
• Cheney, Campbell Point, and Mirror lakes have been consistently produced catches of rainbow trout late this summer. Anglers casting small lures or wet flies near weed beds or drop offs are having success. Bait under a bobber is also a good option. Surface feeding trout have been spotted on most Anchorage lakes, so fly anglers should make sure to carry dry flies with them whenever they are fishing.
• 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.