Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Recent Anchorage News Releases

Ship Creek is currently open to salmon fishing from the mouth to a cable 100 feet below the Chugach Power Plant Dam. The remainder of the creek up to 300 feet above the Elmendorf Power Plant Dam, near the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery, is CLOSED YEAR-ROUND to ALL fishing.
- Fishing is slow (it’s still early) but a couple kings have been caught! Most have been caught on spinners but don’t hesitate to give bait a try. Both work great at catching king salmon in this creek.
Eagle River (entire drainage) is closed to king salmon fishing. A section between the Bailey Bridge to an ADF&G marker at the Alaska State Park’s Campground will open to king salmon fishing on a weekend basis beginning Memorial Day Weekend.
Chester and Campbell creeks will open to fishing on June 15 for non-salmon species.
- Campbell Creek will be open for a youth-only king salmon fishery on June 29 and June 30 but remains closed to king salmon fishing at all other times. This creek will open for coho salmon fishing July 14.
- Chester Creek is never open for salmon fishing.
Bird Creek will open on July 14 to fishing for all salmon, except king salmon. It is currently closed to ALL fishing.

Chester and Campbell creeks will open to sportfishing for non-salmon species on June 15. Spawning closures are currently in place to protect spawning rainbow trout. Both creeks are annually closed April 15 - June 14 to protect these fish.
- The closure on Chester Creek includes East and West Chester Lagoon and APU/University Lake.

Dipnetting for hooligan (smelt) opened April 1 and will remain open until June 15 in freshwater but closes on May 31 in saltwater. There is no bag or possession limit.
This is a personal use fishery and only Alaska residents can participate. No permit is required, but you do need a valid 2019 Alaska resident fishing license or ADF&G Permanent fishing license ID card with you.
Hooligan run timing is highly variable, but people continue to be successful at getting hooligan with lots of effort over the last weekend. Get to 20-mile River well before the high tide to get a good spot.
Speed zone reductions are in place on the Seward Highway as of May 2, 2019. Watch for people along the roadways.
For hooligan updates you can call the hooligan hotline at 907-267-2515.
For your safety, and for the safety of others, please park well off the highway. Do not trespass on the railroad tracks or the railroad right-of-way. Please be respectful and take all your trash with you, don’t throw it on the ground. Please obey all signs and do not block the boat launch.
For additional information on dipnetting for hooligan see the 2019 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.

In the Anchorage area, Jewel, Beach, Edmonds, Mirror, Cheney, Sand, Delong, Lake Otis, and Taku/Campbell lakes have all been stocked with rainbow trout and fishing has been great. Try spinners or bait under a bobber.
Over 2,000 Arctic char were stocked in Sand Lake late last week. This is a great lake to take your canoe or kayak on!
Little Campbell Lake will be stocked by May 25and will be a good fishing option this weekend. Pack a picnic and take the kids out!
Want to check out fish being stocked?! Come out to Cheney Lake on Wednesday, May 29 at 5:30 p.m. A public event will be happening, and kids will have a chance to help stock the lake with rainbow trout. Bring a rod along and fish afterwards!
Lakes on JBER that have been stocked with catchable rainbow trout include Green, Clunie, Hillberg, Spring, and Gwen.
Symphony Lake will open to fishing on July 1.
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 and please contact the ADF&G Sport Fish Division immediately at 907-267-2218.

There are currently no Emergency Orders in effect for the Anchorage Management Area.

For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Anchorage Sport Fish Info Desk at (907) 267-2218.

Alaska Department of Fish and Game