Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage
May 19, 2022
Freshwater Fishing
Hooligan
- Dipnetting for hooligan (smelt) opened April 1 and will remain open until June 15 in freshwaters. 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 2022 Alaska resident fishing license or ADF&G Permanent fishing license ID card with you.
- Hooligan run timing is highly variable but lots of fish continue getting caught over the last week at Twentymile River. Fishing on the incoming tide is typically the ticket but the outgoing tide has also been very productive as well.
- 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 page 16 in the 2022 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.
Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic Char
- Spawning closures are in place for Campbell and Chester creeks. Both creeks closed to all sport fishing on April 15 and will remain closed through June 14 to protect spawning rainbow trout.
Salmon
- Ship Creek is open to king salmon fishing. The first king should be caught any day now! Try bait behind a spin-n-glow or spinners when targeting Ship Creek kings. Fishing a couple hours before the incoming tide is a good place to start.
- No other flowing waters in the Anchorage Bowl are open to salmon fishing.
- Bird Creek is currently closed to fishing.
Saltwater Fishing
Hooligan
- Dipnetting for hooligan opened on April 1 and will remain open until May 31 in saltwaters. Hooligan catches continue to pick up daily. Trying both the incoming and outgoing high tide are good options.
Local Lakes
- Anchorage Bowl lakes are open! Most lakes in Anchorage have been stocked with catchable sized rainbow trout so now is a good time to get out! A slow-moving wet fly or spinner to entice a bite out of a fish cruising the new open water looking for food is a good option. Bait under a bobber is also a good option.
- Cheney Lake is a good lake to start with if you are trying out Anchorage lakes for the first time this year. The lake has lots of good shore access and is great lake to put a canoe in.
- Looking for information on Anchorage stocked lakes? Check out this publication with bathymetric maps and how to access locations.
- 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 orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.
- There are currently no emergency orders for the Anchorage management area.
Don’t forget to purchase your 2022 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and 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 in before you head out.
For additional information, please contact the Anchorage Area Office at (907) 267-2218.
