Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 29, 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.

Emergency Orders

• Per Emergency Order No. 2-KS-2-26-18, effective Tuesday, July 3, 2018, Ship Creek is closed to all sport fishing from its mouth upstream to a cable 100 feet downstream of the Chugach Power Plant Dam through 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 14, 2018.

Regulation Reminders

• Select areas of Campbell Creek opened to fishing for fish species other than salmon on June 15. Make sure you check the Southcentral Regulation booklet for new fishing closures starting from the upstream side of Lake Otis Parkway Bridge.
  • CAMPBELL CREEK IS CLOSED TO ALL SALMON FISHING UNTIL JULY 14.
  • Coho (silver) salmon ONLY will open on July 14. No other salmon may be targeted or retained on Campbell Creek.
• Select areas of Chester Creek opened to fishing for fish species other than salmon on June 15.
  • NO SALMON FISHING IS ALLOWED ON CHESTER CREEK.
• 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.
• The entire Eagle River drainage is closed to king salmon fishing.
• Symphony Lake opens to fishing July 1.

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• King fishing has been slow on Ship Creek. Anglers are reminded that fishing is currently allowed 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. However, per Emergency Order, at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, July 3, Ship Creek is closed to all sport fishing through 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 14, 2018.
• All other waters in the Anchorage Management Area are currently closed to king salmon fishing.

Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

• Trout and Dolly Varden fishing opened on many parts of Campbell Creek on June 15th. Try fishing small spinners or bead-head nymphs in deep pools and along cutbanks.
• Campbell and Chester creeks were stocked with rainbow trout.
• Please review the 2018 Southcentral Regulation Summary Booklet before going fishing and remember, salmon fishing is CLOSED and some areas are catch and release ONLY on Campbell Creek.

Lake Fishing

• Recently stocked lakes include Campbell Point, Sand, Mirror, Beach, and Fish (JBER) lakes.  
• Rabbit Lake has been fishing good. This is a fun off the beaten path fishing spot to try.
• Symphony Lake opens up on Sunday, July 1. This is a great hike and place to catch grayling!
• 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.
• APU/University Lake and West Chester Lagoon are in the Chester Creek drainage which opened to fishing for rainbow trout on June 15.
• Now is a great time to get out and fish local lakes. Stocking has wrapped up for most lakes this week. The ADF&G Hatcheries and Stocking webpage provides information about when, where, and how many fish have been stocked statewide!

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.