Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 16, 2019

Week of May 15 - May 21

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

  • 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.
    • The first king salmon was caught on May 15. Mix it up, give both spinners and bait a try.
  • Eagle River (entire drainage) is closed to king salmon fishing. A section between the Bailey Bridge to an ADF&G marker at the Alaska State Park’s Campground will open to king salmon fishing on a weekend basis beginning Memorial Day Weekend.
  • Chester and Campbell creeks will open to fishing on June 15 for non-salmon species.
    • Campbell Creek will be open for a youth-only king salmon fishery on June 29 and June 30 but remains closed to king salmon fishing at all other times. This creek will open for coho salmon fishing July 14.
    • Chester Creek is never open for salmon fishing.
  • Bird Creek will open on July 14 to fishing for all salmon, except king salmon. It is currently closed to ALL fishing.

Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic Char

  • Chester and Campbell creeks will open to sportfishing for non-salmon species on June 15. Spawning closures are currently in place to protect spawning rainbow trout. Both creeks are annually closed April 15 - June 14 to protect these fish.
    • The closure on Chester Creek includes East and West Chester Lagoon and APU/University Lake.

Hooligan

  • Dipnetting for hooligan (smelt) opened April 1 and will remain open until June 15 in freshwater but closes on May 31 in saltwater. There is no bag or possession limit.
  • This is a personal use fishery and only Alaska residents can participate. No permit is required, but you do need a valid 2019 Alaska resident fishing license or ADF&G Permanent fishing license ID card with you.
  • Hooligan run timing is highly variable, but people continue to be successful at getting hooligan over the last week but expect to put some time in. Reports have come in that people are having luck 1-2 hours before the high tide. It’s best to get there well before the tide comes in to get a good spot.
  • Speed zone reductions are in place on the Seward Highway as of May 2, 2019. Watch for people along the roadways.
  • For hooligan updates you can call the hooligan hotline at 907-267-2515.
  • For your safety, and for the safety of others, please park well off the highway. Do not trespass on the railroad tracks or the railroad right-of-way. Please be respectful and take all your trash with you, don’t throw it on the ground. Please obey all signs and do not block the boat launch.
  • For additional information on dipnetting for hooligan see the 2019 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.

Local Lakes

  • In the Anchorage area, Jewel, Mirror, Cheney, Sand, Delong, Lake Otis, and Taku/Campbell lakes have all been stocked with rainbow trout! Fishing has been great. Try spinners or bait under a bobber.
  • Little Campbell Lake will be stocked just before the Memorial holiday weekend.
  • Lakes on JBER that have been stocked with catchable rainbow trout include Green, Clunie, Hillberg, Spring, and Gwen.
  • Symphony Lake will open to fishing on July 1.
  • Northern pike are not native to Anchorage area lakes but there are some in Lower Fire Lake. If you catch a pike in any Anchorage area lake, please do not release it and please contact the ADF&G Sport Fish Division immediately at 907-267-2218.

Emergency Orders

There are currently no Emergency Orders for the Anchorage Management Area.

For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Anchorage Sport Fish Info Desk at (907) 267-2218.

Archives

Anchorage Area Archives for:
Sep 17, 2019 Sep 11, 2019 Sep 05, 2019 Aug 29, 2019 Aug 22, 2019 Aug 14, 2019 Aug 07, 2019 Jul 31, 2019
Jul 25, 2019 Jul 19, 2019 Jul 11, 2019 Jul 03, 2019 Jun 27, 2019 Jun 20, 2019 Jun 14, 2019 Jun 06, 2019
May 31, 2019 May 23, 2019 May 16, 2019 May 09, 2019 May 01, 2019