(Anchorage) –In favor of protecting returning king salmon and future fishing opportunities, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is prohibiting the retention of king salmon (catch-and-release only) in the Campbell Creek youth-only fishery that takes place June 27 and 28, 2026 from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. If a king salmon is caught during the youth-only fishery, it may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. Additionally, gear will be restricted to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure in Campbell Creek from June 15 – July 31, 2026.

“Due to continued low productivity and poor king salmon runs in Cook Inlet streams we will again take a precautionary approach. This year the youth-only king salmon fishery on Campbell Creek will again be catch and release only due to continued low returns and the need to protect these king salmon,” stated Area Management Biologist Brittany Blain-Roth. “In addition, for added protection bait is not allowed and only single hooks may be used until August 1 to protect king salmon that are still present and actively spawning in the creek when the coho salmon fishery opens on July 14.”

As a reminder, youth anglers still have this section of the creek to themselves to sport fish during this one weekend per year opportunity. Adults may assist but may not be fishing in the youth-only area which is from the Dimond Boulevard Bridge to the Old Seward Highway. Please see the Southcentral Regulation Summary booklet for more details.

For more information, please contact Area Management Biologist Brittany Blain-Roth at 907-267-2186 or Assistant Area Management Biologist Donald Arthur at 907-267-2225.

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