Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

July 10, 2025

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• King salmon fishing at Ship Creek has slowed down as it’s nearing the tail end of the run. The first few coho and pink salmon have been caught at Ship Creek, but fishing for these species will be slow for another few weeks as the runs build.
  • Water levels have dropped on the creek. Use a spin-and-glow with roe fished on the bottom during the incoming and outgoing tides to target late returning king salmon. To target early arriving coho salmon, try fishing roe under slip bobber or casting medium spinners during the incoming tide.

Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic Char

• Campbell and Chester creeks are open to fishing. Both locations are freshly stocked with rainbow trout. Casting small spinners or fly fishing with nymphs or egg fly patterns are great options to catch rainbow trout and Dolly Varden.
  • Reminder: By emergency order, only single hooks are allowed and bait may not be used through July 31 on Campbell Creek.

Local Lakes

• Many of the Anchorage area lakes have received a second round of rainbow trout stocking. Freshly stocked fish will be schooled up and cruising around the lake. With the warmer weather, early morning and late evening will be the most productive times to fish local lakes. 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, Lower Fire, and Campbell Point Lakes are hot locations for stocked rainbow trout.
  • Cheney and Taku-Campbell lakes have decent access for shoreline anglers and fishing has been steady.
• Want to go for a hike and catch fish at the same time?
  • Symphony Lake in Eagle River is ice-free and opened on July 1. Grayling and rainbow trout fishing should be great!
  • Rabbit Lake was also recently stocked with rainbow trout and is a great destination to take a hike and catch some fish.

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 May 1, Emergency Order 2-KS-2-9-25 closes sport fishing for king salmon in the Eagle River drainage for the season. In addition, sport fishing gear is limited to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure with a gap between the point and the shank of the hook that is half inch or less.
• 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.