Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 07, 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 has closed for the season in both fresh and saltwaters.

Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic Char

• Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing opened on many parts of the Campbell Creek and Chester Creek drainages on June 15. Campbell and Chester creeks have both been stocked with rainbow trout and those fish should be acclimated by now 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. Effective July 14, Ship Creek will be open to fishing 24 hours a day.
• Catches of king salmon on Ship Creek have slowed down but fish are still getting caught for those who put in the time! Try soaking salmon roe on the bottom behind a spin-n-glow or casting spinners.
• Eagle River drainage is closed to king salmon fishing.
• The lower portion of Bird Creek opens on Wednesday, July 14 to fishing, except for king salmon. Bird Creek is always closed to king salmon fishing.
• Portions of Campbell Creek will open to fishing for coho salmon on July 14 - September 30. If you accidentally catch another species of salmon be sure to keep it in the water and release it quickly.

Local Lakes

• Lakes throughout the Anchorage management area have been stocked with more rainbow trout! The most recently stocked lakes were Sand, Jewel, Delong, and Campbell Point (aka Little Campbell).
  • Check out the stocking webpage to find out when your favorite lake was last stocked.
• Fishing in local lakes continues to be good. Anglers have reported consistent catches of catchable-sized rainbow trout from shore and by boat. The bite tends to be better early in the morning or late at night. Also try fishing in the shady parts of the lake or the deeper parts that are cooler.
• Arctic char can be caught in local lakes 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 opened to fishing on July 1. Arctic grayling fishing has been good. The bag and possession is five fish, of which only one fish may be greater than 12 inches. Casting flies or small spinners can be a fun and effective way to fish for grayling.
• 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.