Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 23, 2023

Freshwater Fishing

Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic Char

• Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic Char
  • Campbell and Chester creeks opened on June 15 to fishing for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. Water levels have come up following the warm weekend and now rainy days. Fishing with single salmon eggs or small clumps of roe will be the most effective method during these conditions.
  • Reminder: On June 24^th and 25^th anglers 16 years of age and older may not sport fish in Campbell Creek from ADF&G Markers under the Dimond Blvd Bridge to the Old Seward Highway while the youth-only fishery is occurring.

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. King salmon fishing at Ship Creek was good over the last weekend but the recent weather has made for increased turbidity and debris in the creek. Fish are still being caught and anglers should continue to try bait such as salmon roe or mackerel behind a spin-n-glow during the rising or falling tide or during slack high tide, try casting large spinners or plugs when the creek is flooded with tidewater.
  • Campbell Creek is currently closed for salmon fishing. However, this weekend (June 24^th and 25^th from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) from ADF&G Markers under the Dimond Blvd Bridge to the Old Seward Highway there is a Youth-Only king salmon fishery. Remember, adults can aid the individuals 15 years of age or younger, but this area is closed to fishing to individuals who are 16 years old or older. See page 46 of Southcentral Sportfishing Regulation for more details.
    • Campbell Creek water levels are high and visibility is poor due to the recent rain. Fishing for the kids is going to be challenging.
  • No other flowing waters in the Anchorage Bowl are open to salmon fishing.
  • Bird Creek is currently closed to fishing.

Local Lakes

• All Anchorage management area lakes have been stocked with catchable rainbow trout and some with Arctic char. Catch rates have been great for these aggressive trout all over Anchorage. Check out the stocking webpage to find out when your favorite lake was last stocked.
• Try slowly stripping a wet fly to entice a bite from a fish cruising the lake’s edge in search of food or a dry fly on a warm, calm evening. Small bait or jigs under a bobber are always good options when fish are schooled-up.
• Delong, Beach and Mirror lakes had more rainbow trout stocked this week! These are great lakes to launch a canoe or kayak. Dry flies on calm evenings or early mornings are a good option in addition to small spinners or bait under a bobber.
• 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 received its second stocking for the year with an additional 1,750 rainbow trout added to the lake on June 11^th.
• 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.