Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

June 26, 2025

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• King salmon fishing at Ship Creek has been steady but slowed down this week with the high water as we pass the peak timing for returns to the creek. Fishing should improve as the water drops and we might see coho salmon roll in during the next week.
• With the high water on Ship Creek, bait will improve your odds. Try using a spin-and-glow with roe fished on the bottom during the incoming and outgoing tides.
• By Emergency Order, Campbell Creek will be closed to the retention of king salmon during the youth-only fishery, which takes place from 6:00am to 10:00pm on Saturday, June 28th and Sunday, June 29th. In addition, the use of bait is NOT allowed and anglers may use only single-hook, artificial lures or flies. This fishery is catch and release only.
  • Reminder: The Campbell Creek youth-only fishery zone is from the Dimond Bridge to the Old Seward Highway. This section of Campbell Creek is only open to anglers 15 years of age and younger.

Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic Char

• Campbell and Chester creeks are open to fishing. Both locations are freshly stocked with rainbow trout. Casting small spinners or fly fishing with nymphs or egg fly patterns are great options to catch rainbow trout and Dolly Varden.
  • Reminder: By emergency order, only single hooks are allowed and bait may not be used through July 31 on Campbell Creek.

Local Lakes

• Many of the Anchorage area lakes have received a second round of rainbow trout stocking. Freshly stocked fish will be schooled up and cruising around the lake. With the warmer weather, early morning and late evening will be the most productive times to fish local lakes. Try slowly stripping a wet fly, casting small spinners or fishing small bait under a bobber to catch these freshly stocked fish.
  • For those with canoes or small boats, Sand, Lower Fire Lake, and Campbell Point Lakes are hot locations for stocked fish to get great access all around these freshly stocked lakes.
  • Cheney and Taku-Campbell lakes have decent access for shoreline anglers. These freshly stocked lakes will have hungry fish and space for the kids to run around.
  • Want to go for a hike and catch fish at the same time? Rabbit Lake was recently stocked with rainbow trout, but still has some ice. Another week of warm weather should make it more fishable.

Special Species Information

Northern pike

Northern pike are not native to Anchorage area lakes. If you catch a pike in any Anchorage area lake, do not release it and immediately report it to the pike reporting page online here.

Emergency Orders

Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

• Effective May 1, Emergency Order 2-KS-2-9-25 closes sport fishing for king salmon in the Eagle River drainage for the season. In addition, sport fishing gear is limited to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure with a gap between the point and the shank of the hook that is half inch or less.
• Effective June 15, Emergency Order 2-KS-2-10-25 prohibits the retention of king salmon (catch and release only) during the 2025 Campbell Creek youth only fishing that occurs June 28 & 29 this year. Only one unbaited, single hook and artificial lure may be used from June 15– July 31 in the Campbell Creek drainage downstream of the forks near Piper Street.

Don't forget to purchase your 2025 sport fishing license and king stamp! You can purchase and display your fishing license and king stamp, record your annual harvest (i.e. king salmon), access sport fishing regulations and locations, and so much more on your mobile device. Download the ADF&G Mobile App today. You can also purchase licenses through the ADF&G online store and print them off from the comfort of your own home. Make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2025 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.

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