Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

July 17, 2025

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• Ship Creek
  • A few late king salmon are still being caught at Ship Creek, but the run has mostly come to an end. Coho (silver) salmon fishing continues to improve, but it is still early in the run. There are schools of pink salmon entering with each tide. At this point in the season, anglers should shift to fishing roe under a bobber or casting spinners during the incoming tide to target these fresh coho salmon.
• Bird Creek
  • Bird Creek opened to fishing on July 14. Salmon fishing has been good. Anglers are reporting pink and chum salmon in the creek. The coho salmon run should continue to build.
• Campbell Creek
  • Campbell Creek opened to coho salmon fishing on July 14. Coho salmon fishing will be slow this early, especially with the bait restriction and low water.
  • Reminder: By emergency order, only one single hook is allowed and bait may not be used through July 31 on Campbell Creek.

Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic Char

• Campbell and Chester creeks are open to fishing. Fishing for stocked rainbow trout and wild Dolly Varden has been improving as the salmon are beginning to spawn in the creek. Try fishing egg patterns such as beads or glo-bugs behind spawning salmon.
  • Reminder: By emergency order, only one single hook is allowed and bait may not be used through July 31 on Campbell Creek.

Local Lakes

• Stocked rainbow trout are well-distributed throughout many of the Anchorage lakes. Rainbow trout fishing will be better on lakes that receive less pressure. 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, Mirror Lake, and Campbell Point Lakes are hot locations for some still water fishing.
  • Shore anglers are still reporting catches from Cheney and Taku-Campbell lakes but are having to work more for fish than they did earlier in the summer.
  • Symphony Lake in Eagle River has been hot for Arctic grayling and anglers are even reporting sporadic catches of nice-sized rainbow trout.

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 June 15, Emergency Order 2-KS-2-10-25 prohibits the use of bait and multiple hooks through July 31. Only one unbaited, single hook, artificial lure may be used from June 15– July 31.

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.