Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

July 12, 2018

General Area Description: All waters draining into the east side of Knik arm south of, and including, the Eklutna River drainage, and all waters draining into the north and west sides of Turnagain Arm, and all waters draining into the south side of Turnagain Arm east of, and including, Ingram Creek.

Regulation Reminders and Emergency Orders

• Anglers are reminded to review Emergency Orders and News Releases and the 2018 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the Anchorage Area before heading out on their next fishing trip.

Emergency Orders

• Per Emergency Order No. 2-KS-2-26-18, effective Tuesday, July 3, 2018, Ship Creek is closed to all sport fishing from its mouth upstream to a cable 100 feet downstream of the Chugach Power Plant Dam through 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 14, 2018.
  • Ship Creek, from the cable 100 feet below the Chugach Power Plant Dam up to 300 feet above the Elmendorf Power Plant Dam (near the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery) is always CLOSED YEAR ROUND to ALL fishing.

Regulation Reminders

• King salmon fishing is CLOSED in all Anchorage Bowl streams. Any kings caught must be immediately released.
• Portions of Campbell Creek opens to coho (silver) salmon fishing on July 14. No other salmon species may be targeted or retained on Campbell Creek.
• Select areas of Chester Creek opened to fishing for fish species other than salmon on June 15. NO SALMON FISHING IS ALLOWED ON CHESTER CREEK.
• The lower portion of Bird Creek opens to salmon fishing, except king salmon, on July 14. King salmon fishing is NEVER allowed on Bird Creek. You are allowed to retain coho, pink, and chum salmon, which are included under “other salmon” in the 2018 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet. The bag and possession limit for other salmon over 16 inches are 3 per day, and only 3 in possession.
• Symphony Lake opened to fishing on July 1.
  • Please note: Chugach State Parks has closed the trailhead to Symphony Lake this week due bear activity in the area.

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• Ship Creek opens to coho (silver) salmon fishing at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 14, 2018. Anglers may NOT retain any king salmon on this creek or any other streams in the Anchorage Bowl. Please immediately release king salmon.
• In addition, coho (silver) salmon fishing opens on Campbell and Bird creeks on Saturday, July 14, 2018.

Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

• Trout and Dolly Varden fishing has been good on Campbell Creek. Try fishing small spinners or bead-head nymphs in deep pools and along cutbanks.
• Campbell and Chester creeks are stocked with rainbow trout and provide a great after work spot to catch rainbow trout and Dolly Varden.
• Please review the 2018 Southcentral Regulation Summary Booklet before going fishing and remember, salmon fishing is CLOSED and some areas are catch-and-release ONLY on Campbell Creek.
   

Lake Fishing

• Local lakes continue to fish well! Warm temperatures keep fish holding in the shade and deep holes during the day. Your best bet is to fish the lakes early or late in the day.
• To attract stocked rainbows, try casting small lures or wet flies. Bait under a bobber is also a good option. In the evening, watch for fish rising, and try fishing dry and surface flies.
• Want to get out of town and fish stocked lakes? Alder Pond is a great option just off Portage Glacier Road that has been stocked with rainbow trout!
• APU/University Lake and West Chester Lagoon are in the Chester Creek drainage which are currently open to fishing for rainbow trout.
• The ADF&G Hatcheries and Stocking webpage provides information about when, where, and how many fish have been stocked statewide!

Fishing Tip: To improve your success in local stocked lakes review the lake bathymetric (bottom depth profile) map online. These maps can reveal structure and other locations where fish may likely be. Often a little walk or getting away from the pack will provide rewards, just be mindful of private property boundaries.

Northern Pike

• There are very few opportunities for Northern Pike in Anchorage as they are not native to the region. ADF&G has taken steps to keep pike out of Anchorage area lakes. Lower Fire Lake is the closest place to find Northern pike in the Anchorage Area. If you catch a Northern Pike in the Anchorage area, please contact the ADF&G Sport Fish Division immediately at (907) 267-2218. Anglers are not allowed to release live pike back into the water.