Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 22, 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.
• The Youth-Only Fishery for king salmon on Campbell Creek in Anchorage will take place from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24. Anglers who are 15 years of age and younger will have a chance to fish for king salmon on Campbell Creek between Dimond Boulevard and the Old Seward Highway. Youth anglers do not need a sport fishing license or king salmon stamp but do need a Harvest Record Card. Any king salmon harvested must be recorded immediately on the Harvest Record Card. While adults can assist youth anglers in landing a fish, this section of Campbell Creek is closed to all fishing, including catch-and-release, for anglers 16 and older during this time. As with all fisheries in Alaska, the fish belongs to the angler that sets the hook.
• 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.
• Chester Creek and sections of Campbell Creek opened to sport fishing (EXCLUDING SALMON) on June 15.
  • SALMON FISHING IS NEVER ALLOWED ON CHESTER CREEK.
  • Some areas of Campbell Creek are closed year around and others don’t open until coho salmon fishing starts in mid-July.
• 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 opens to fishing July 1 .

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.
• Part of Campbell Creek, Dimond Boulevard to Old Seward Highway, is open this weekend, June 23 -24, 2018, between 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for youth anglers 15 years and younger to go fishing for king salmon. Water levels are dropping, and water clarity is improving. Youth are allowed during this fishery to use bait or lures. Soaking roe with a spin-n-glo, drifting roe under a bobber, and casting spinners would be a good technique to start with.
• 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 opened on many parts of Campbell Creek 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

• 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

• Fishing for hooligan is currently closed.