Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 17, 2021

* Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing, and wear a face covering when social distancing is not possible and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store.

Freshwater Fishing

Hooligan

• Dipnetting for hooligan (smelt) is closed for the season in freshwater and saltwaters.

Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic Char

• Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden fishing has opened on many parts of the Campbell Creek and Chester Creek drainages as of June 15. Campbell Creek was stocked with rainbow trout and by now, those fish should be acclimated and hungry. Anglers can have success for local trout by casting small spinners and spoons through deep pools or drifting nymph or egg imitation fly patterns.

Salmon

• 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.
• Remember: from May 15 - July 13 Ship Creek is only open to fishing between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. each day.
• Anglers have reported good catches of king salmon at Ship Creek. Try soaking salmon roe on the bottom behind a spin-n-glow or casting spinners. King salmon are being caught throughout the tide cycle with better catch rates on the incoming (flood) tide and just as the tide begins to go out.
• Eagle River drainage: From Bailey Bridge on Fort Richardson upstream to ADF&G markers in the Alaska State Parks Eagle River Campground: king salmon fishing is open ONLY on the following remaining date June 19 - 21. See page 46 of the 2021 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for more details.
• The Youth-Only Fishery for king Salmon on Ship Creek in Anchorage will take place from
  6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 19. Anglers who are 15 years of age and younger will have a chance to fish for king salmon on Ship Creek from the upstream side of the C St. Bridge to the downstream side of the Bridge Restaurant. Youth anglers do not need a sport fishing license or king salmon stamp but do need a Harvest Record Card. Any king salmon harvested must be recorded immediately on the Harvest Record Card. While adults can assist youth anglers in landing a fish, this section of Ship Creek is closed to all fishing, including catch-and-release, for anglers 16 and older during this time.
• Bird Creek is currently closed to salmon fishing.

Saltwater Fishing

Hooligan

• Dipnetting for hooligan (smelt) is closed for the season in freshwater and saltwaters.

Local Lakes

• Lakes through the Anchorage management area have been stocked! Fishing continues to be good. Anglers have reported consistent catches of catchable-sized rainbow trout from shore and by boat. As fish begin to spread out in their new lake environment, try targeting drop-offs near the shoreline and structures in the lake such as weed beds or near fallen trees or docks. Arctic char can be caught by focusing efforts in slightly deeper water. Try fishing small spinners or bait under a bobber to entice a strike. Dry fly action can be a fun and effective way to target stocked fish in the evenings.
• Symphony Lake opens to fishing on July 1.
• Check out the stocking webpage to find out when your favorite lake was last stocked.
• Fishing on base? 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 keep it and call ADF&G at (907) 746-6328.

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.

Don't forget to purchase your 2021 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2021 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 2021 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.

For additional information, please contact the Anchorage Area Office at (907) 267-2218.