Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 16, 2017

Week of June 14 to June 20

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

• Before you go fishing ALWAYS review the specific regions 2017 Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet available online and at local vendors!
• Sport fishing licenses, King Stamps, Personal Use Dipnet, and Prince William Sound Shrimp Permits are available for purchase online at the ADF&G Online Store.
• 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.
• Campbell Creek: Select areas of the creek opened to fishing for fish species other than salmon on Thursday, June 15. Make sure you check the 2017 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulation Summary booklet for new fishing closures starting from the upstream side of Lake Otis Parkway Bridge.
• Chester Creek: Select areas of the creek opened to fishing for fish species other than salmon on Thursday, June 15. NO SALMON FISHING IS ALLOWED ON CHESTER CREEK.
• Bird Creek (entire drainage) is closed to ALL fishing January 1 through July 13.
• Symphony Lake is closed to fishing May 1 through June 30.
• Eagle River (entire drainage) is closed to king salmon fishing. This weekend, June 17 to June19, is the final weekend that a section from Bailey Bridge on Fort Richardson upstream to an ADF&G marker at the Alaska State Park’s Campground is open to king salmon fishing.
• NEW-- this weekend!! Get your kids out fishing at the first ever Ship Creek Youth-Only king salmon fishery taking place on Saturday, June 17 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The area open to youth-only during this timeframe is from the C Street Bridge upstream to the Bridge Restaurant. During this timeframe adults may assist youth fishing; however, only anglers 15 years old and younger may fish in this area. Signs will be posted and enforcement of this regulation will be in full effect by ADF&G biologists and Alaska State Troopers.

 

Stream Fishing

Salmon

• Fishing on Ship Creek is open from the mouth up to the cable crossing roughly 100 feet below the Chugach Power Plant dam. Remember--This area is closed to fishing from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
• King fishing is still consistent at Ship Creek with fish being caught daily on each tide. Don’t forget your valid 2017 fishing license and king salmon stamp.
• The annual king salmon derby, Slam’n Salm’n Derby, started on Friday, June 9 and goes through Sunday, June 18. Don’t forget to get your free derby ticket prior to fishing. This annual derby benefits the Downtown Soup Kitchen; a community organization assisting Anchorage’s working poor and homeless. Top fish is just over 30 lbs right now!
• On June 17, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the Ship Creek Youth-Only Fishery will take place. The area open to youth-only is from the C Street Bridge upstream to the Bridge Restaurant. During this time adults may help kids fish but may NOT fish themselves.
• All other waters in the Anchorage Management Area are currently closed to king salmon fishing.
• If you are successful and would like to report a catch please contact the Anchorage Sport Fish Information Center at 267-2218.

Fishing Tip: Brush up on your fish identification before you head out fishing. Test your fish identification knowledge with the new Pacific Salmon ID Quiz.

Trout and Dolly Varden

• Specific areas of Campbell Creek and Chester Creek opened to fishing for species other than salmon on Thursday, June 15. On Campbell Creek, it remains CLOSED TO ALL FISHING below Dimond Blvd. and in the stretch of river from Shelikof Street to Piper Street. Above Piper Street is open to catch and release only effective June 15. For additional information on Campbell Creek and Chester Creek, review the 2017 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulation Summary booklet.

 

General

• Anglers can visit ADF&G's Hatcheries and Stocking webpage for more information regarding when and where fish are stocked. Cheney Lake was recently stocked with rainbow trout.
  • Often after fish are stocked, they remain in large schools. Spend some time searching for these schools.
  • Try casting small lures or wet flies to attract these fish. Bait under a bobber is also a good option. In the evening, watch for fish rising, as this is a great time to fish dry and surface flies.
• Taku-Campbell Lake and Jewell Lake are just a couple of the great lakes in Anchorage to take the kids for some rainbow trout action! Good access and fun fishing!

Fishing Tip: To improve your success in local stocked lakes review the lake bathymetric (bottom depth profile) map online. This will help you determine what type of fish you are fishing for and where they might be. Often a little walk or getting away from the pack will provide rewards.

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 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 267-2218.

Hooligan

• Hooligan (smelt) dipnetting in salt waters closed on May 31 and closed in the fresh waters on June 15.
• For more information on hooligan dipnetting and hooligan dipnetting regulations, see the 2017 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations summary booklets.