Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

September 9, 2022

ADF&G News

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Freshwater Fishing

Hooligan

Dipnetting for hooligan is closed until April 1.

Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic Char

Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing is open on many parts of the Campbell Creek and Chester Creek drainages. Water levels have been up and down and are likely on the rise again with the rain but small spinners can work well when clarity improves and also drifting nymphs or egg imitation fly patterns.

Salmon

• Ship Creek is open 24 hours a day to sport fishing but is closed to the retention of king salmon. The bag and possession limit for coho salmon was increased effective Wednesday, August 17 to six coho salmon per day, six in possession. See the Emergency Order below.
• Coho fishing on Ship Creek is wrapping up. Anglers might be able to catch one last fish if they put in the effort. Try fishing with a slip bobber set up with salmon roe or if conditions allow, spinners in the size #3 to # 5 range.
• Bird Creek is open to salmon fishing, except king salmon. Coho salmon are wrapping up on this creek as well. Fishing around the incoming tide is a good option. Both slip bobber set ups with bait and spinners are good options. Take both so you have options.
• Chester Creek is always closed to salmon fishing.
• Portions of Campbell Creek are open to fishing for coho salmon until September 30. If you accidently catch another species of salmon be sure to keep it in the water and release it quickly. Water levels on Campbell Creek have been up but silver fishing has been good, although things are starting to slow down. Fishing salmon roe with a slip bobber is your best option with the higher flows but don’t rule out casting spinners.

Local Lakes

• Anchorage Bowl lakes are still fishing well and the fish are active!
• Arctic char can be caught in local lakes by focusing efforts in deeper water in those lakes that are stocked with these fish.
  • Check out the stocking webpage to find out when your favorite lake was last stocked and what species are in there!
• Make sure to keep an eye on the stocking webpage in October. Local lakes will be stocked with catchable sized king salmon. These fish will be fun to catch all winter long in many local lakes!
• Have a canoe, kayak, or small raft and looking to get just outside of Anchorage? Give Mirror or Beach lakes a try. Both lakes are stocked with rainbow trout and are fun options
• Small spinners are a great option right now as well. These should work well at many of the stocked lakes.
• Symphony Lake opened to fishing on July 1. This is a great hike in and fish location with lots of Arctic grayling fishing fun! Small spinners, dry flies, you name it, these fish will bite them all!
• Looking for information on Anchorage stocked lakes? Check out this publication which contains info such as how to access locations and bathymetric maps.
• Check out the stocking webpage to find out when your favorite lake was last stocked.
• 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 do not release it.

Emergency Orders

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

Emergency Order No, 2-SS-2-64-22 increases the bag and possession limit for coho salmon, 16 inches or greater in length, in the Ship Creek drainage from its mouth upstream to a cable 100 feet downstream of the Chugach Power Plant Dam, to six fish, effective. This increase goes into effect on Wednesday, August 17 at 12:01am through December 31^st, 2022.

Don't forget to purchase your 2022 sport fishing license and king stamp! Purchase your 2022 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, advisory announcements, and the 2022 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.