Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage
Archived Sport Fishing Report
May 06, 2020
* Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing the current State of Alaska Health Mandates in effect. This includes practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing and wearing a face covering when fishing and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.
* The Alaska Board of Fisheries adopted two proposals establishing new sport fish regulations for the Anchorage Management Area at its Anchorage February 2020 meeting. Please see the 2020 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulation Summary booklet for a complete summary of the Anchorage sport fisheries regulations.
Emergency Orders
Please review the Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.
- There are currently no Emergency Orders for the Anchorage Management Area.
Freshwater Fishing
Hooligan
- Dipnetting for hooligan (smelt) opened April 1 and will remain open until June 15. There is no bag or possession limit.
- This is a personal use fishery and only Alaska residents can participate. No permit is required, but you do need a valid 2020 Alaska resident sport fishing license or ADF&G Permanent fishing license ID card with you.
- Hooligan run timing is highly variable, but people are starting to have success and reports of fair catches over the weekend from those that put in the time. It is best to get there well before the tide comes in to get a good spot.
- Speed zone reductions are in place on the Seward Highway as of May 1, 2020. Watch for people along the roadways.
- For your safety, and for the safety of others, please park well off the highway. 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 2020 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations summary booklet.
Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic Char
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Spawning closures are in place for Campbell and Chester creeks. Both creeks closed to all sport fishing April 15 and will remain closed through June 14 to protect spawning rainbow trout.
Salmon
- Ship Creek is open to king salmon fishing. It will likely be a couple weeks before the first fish is caught but it wouldn’t hurt to wet a line soon. Try spinners or bait.
Saltwater Fishing
Hooligan
- Dipnetting for hooligan opened April 1 and will remain open until May 31.
Local Lakes
- Anchorage Bowl lakes are free of ice. Try fishing with small spinners, or bait under a bobber. Check out the stocking webpage to find out where fish have been stocked most recently.
- Campbell Point Lake was recently stocked. Sometimes the gate is closed to access this lake during spring break up. Fishing should be good if you are willing to take the short hike.
- Cheney Lake has been fishing well and was stocked with coho salmon in late March. It will be stocked with rainbow trout in the near future.
- Jewel, Mirror, Delong, Lake Otis, and Taku/Campbell lakes are also going to be stocked with rainbow trout soon. Get your gear together and get out there!
- Lakes on JBER will also start getting stocked soon with catchable rainbow trout including Hillberg, Waldon, Spring, Otter and Triangle. Just a reminder, you need to register with isportsman and check with base personnel prior to fishing on JBER.
- Northern pike are not native to Anchorage area lakes but there are some in Lower Fire Lake. If you catch a pike in any Anchorage area lake, please do not release it.
Don’t forget to bring your 2020 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2020 sport fishing license and king stamp through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home. Also, make sure to review Emergency Orders and the 2020 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.
For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Anchorage Area Office at (907) 267-2218.