Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 15, 2018

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

• Anglers are reminded to review Emergency Orders and News Releases and the 2018 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the Anchorage Area before heading out on their next fishing trip.
• Saturday, June 16, 2018: From the C Street Bridge upstream to the Bridge Restaurant, Ship Creek is open ONLY to anglers 15 years of age and younger from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Please note, there is an error on Page 46 of the 2018 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulation Summary Booklet for the Eagle River drainage regarding the dates open to king salmon fishing. The booklet should read:
  • From Bailey Bridge on Fort Richardson upstream to ADF&G markers in the Alaska State Parks’ Eagle River Campground:
    • Open to fishing for king salmon during the following 3-day periods in 2018: May 26–28, June 2–4, June 9–11, and June 16–18.

Regulation Reminders

• 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 and Chester Creek are open to sport fishing (EXCLUDING SALMON) on June 15.
  • SALMON FISHING IS NEVER ALLOWED ON CHESTER CREEK.
  • Some areas of Campbell Creek open to coho salmon fishing on July 14.
• The entire Bird Creek drainage is closed to all sport fishing from January 1–July 13.
  • KING SALMON FISHING IS NEVER ALLOWED ON BIRD CREEK.
• Symphony Lake is closed to all sport fishing from May 1–June 30.

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• After some turbid water making fishing very difficult, king salmon fishing is picking up at Ship Creek. Visibility continues to improve. Soaking roe with a spin-n-glo, drifting roe under a bobber, and casting spinners on the incoming and outgoing tides are effective in this fishery. Both bait and spinners continue to catch fish.
• Anglers are reminded that Ship Creek is only open to sport fishing from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. through July 13. Anglers may fish from the mouth of Ship Creek up to the cable crossing roughly 100 feet below the Chugach Power Plant dam.
• The Ship Creek Slam’n Salm’n Derby started Sunday, June 9 and ends at noon on June 16. Don’t forget to get your derby ticket.
• Saturday, June 16 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Ship Creek will be open ONLY to anglers under the age of 16 from the Bridge Restaurant down to the C Street bridge. During this time adults are not allowed to fish in this area.
• 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 Sport Fish Information Center at (907) 267-2218.

Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

• Trout and Dolly Varden fishing opens on June 15. Get out there and enjoy some local fishing! Campbell Creek was just stocked with rainbow trout. Some areas are catch-and-release only so please review the 2018 Southcentral Regulation Summary Booklet before going fishing and remember, salmon fishing is CLOSED!

Lake Fishing

• Another round of rainbow trout stocking took place this week. Stocked lakes include Jewel, Taku/Campbell, and Green lakes. Taku/Campbell is a great place to take the kids just learning how to fish. Check the stocking webpage next week as more lakes in the Anchorage area will be stocked!
• To attract stocked rainbows, try casting small lures or wet flies. Bait under a bobber is also a good option. In the evening, watch for fish rising, and try fishing dry and surface flies.
• For more information about when, where, and how many fish have been stocked, anglers can visit the ADF&G Hatcheries and Stocking webpage.

Fishing Tip: To improve your success in local stocked lakes review the lake bathymetric (bottom depth profile) map online. These maps can reveal structure and other locations where fish may likely be. Often a little walk or getting away from the pack will provide rewards, just be mindful of private property boundaries.

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 area 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 (907) 267-2218. Anglers are not allowed to release live pike back into the water.

Personal Use

Hooligan

The Hooligan dipnetting season is closed. Saltwater fishing for hooligan closed on May 31 and the freshwater areas closed on June 15.