Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage
Archived Sport Fishing Report
May 25, 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 slow to fair at the mouth of the 20-mile River. Hooligan are being caught primarily on the incoming and outgoing tide at 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 is allowed on the open section of Ship Creek from 6AM to 11PM.
- The first king salmon at Ship Creek was caught on May 24th. King salmon will be present in the creek over the Memorial Day weekend, but fishing is expected to be slow. Try fishing bait such as salmon roe behind a spin-n-glow during the rising or falling tide. During slack high tide, casting spinners work well when the creek is flooded with tidewater.
- 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 slow in Turnagain Arm. It is best to fish during the incoming or outgoing tides.
Local Lakes
- Stocking is in full force for Anchorage area lakes. Cheney Lake, Delong Lake, and Jewel Lake were all recently stocked with large numbers of catchable rainbow trout. Lakes will continue to be stocked over the next several weeks. Check out the stocking webpage to find out when your favorite lake was last stocked.
- Looking for a new lake to fish this spring? Lake Otis in Anchorage, Tangle Pond in Portage Valley, and Beach Lake near Chugiak are great lakes if you are looking to branch out. All three have recently been stocked and receive less fishing pressure than many other Anchorage lakes.
- Try slowly stripping a wet fly to entice a bite from a fish cruising lake’s edge in search of food. Small bait under a bobber or casting a small spinner are always good options for stocked trout.
- Are you looking for information on Anchorage-stocked lakes? Check out this publication with bathymetric maps and how to access fishing locations.
- 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 this week.
- 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.