Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 18, 2023

Freshwater Fishing

Hooligan

• Dipnetting for hooligan (smelt) opened April 1 and will remain open until June 15 in freshwaters. 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 2023 Alaska resident fishing license or ADF&G Permanent fishing license ID card with you.
• Dipnetting for hooligan has been fair to good at the mouth of the 20-mile River. Hooligan are being caught at all stages of the tide in 20-mile River.
• 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. Please obey all signs and do not block the boat launch.
• For additional information on dipnetting for hooligan see page 16 in the 2023 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.

Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic Char

• Spawning closures are in place for Campbell and Chester creeks. Both creeks closed to all sport fishing on April 15 and will remain closed through June 14 to protect spawning rainbow trout.

Salmon

• Ship Creek is open to king salmon fishing. As a reminder, fishing hours are allowed on Ship Creek from 6AM to 11PM. There have been no reports of kings having been caught at Ship Creek in 2023 yet. However, typically the next week is when the first king salmon is landed at Ship Creek. Try bait such as salmon roe behind a spin-n-glow or casting spinners during the rising tide.
• No other flowing waters in the Anchorage Bowl are open to salmon fishing.
• Bird Creek is currently closed to fishing.

Saltwater Fishing

Hooligan

• Dipnetting for hooligan opened on April 1 and will remain open until May 31 in saltwaters. Dipnetting for hooligan has been fair to good in Turnagain Arm. It is best to fish during the incoming or outgoing tides to improve catch rates.

Local Lakes

• Almost all lakes in the Anchorage Bowl are open and ice-free! Stocking in the local lakes will begin this weekend. Try slowly stripping a wet fly to entice a bite from a fish cruising the lake’s edge in search of food. Small bait under a bobber is also a good option. Fish that survived the winter are caught in Cheney, Jewel, Campbell Point, and Sand Lakes; these lakes are great options to fish until your favorite local lake is re-stocked with fish this spring.
• Are you looking for information on Anchorage-stocked lakes? Check out this publication with bathymetric maps and how to access fishing locations.
• Check out the stocking webpage to find out when your favorite lake was last stocked.
• Fishing on the military base? Just a reminder, you need to register with iSportsman and check with base personnel prior to fishing on JBER.

Northern Pike

Northern pike are not native to Anchorage area lakes. Lower Fire Lake was treated for pike in the fall of 2022, and all pike were eradicated. Lower Fire Lake will be stocked with catchable rainbow trout during the last week of May. If you catch a pike in any Anchorage area lake, do not release it and immediately report it here.

Emergency Orders

Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

• There are currently no emergency orders for the Anchorage management area.

Don’t forget to purchase your 2023 sport fishing license and king stamp! You can purchase your 2023 sport fishing license and king stamp through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home. Also, make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2023 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing in before you head out.

For additional information, please contact the Anchorage Area Office at (907) 267-2218.