Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 17, 2023

Freshwater Fishing

Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic Char

Portions of Campbell and Chester creeks opened on June 15 to fishing for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. The flows on Campbell Creek have been great for Rainbow trout fishing. With high and dirty water, trout fishing will be difficult and slow. To target trout in these tough conditions, try drifting a small piece of roe under a bobber.

Salmon

• As of August 17, the limit for coho (silver) salmon on Ship Creek was increased to 6 per day, 6 in possession.
  • Although the limit was increased, coho (silver) salmon fishing on Ship Creek has slowed down and we are past the peak of the run. Pink salmon are beginning to spawn and thin out in Ship Creek. For coho salmon, try casting medium-sized spinners or drifting salmon roe under a slip bobber from 3 hours before to 3 hours after the high tide.
• On July 14, Bird Creek up to marker 500 yards upstream of its mouth, opened to fishing for all species except king salmon.
  • Coho (silver) salmon fishing has been fair on Bird Creek with anglers reporting catches throughout the tide cycle. Fishing has slowed from the past weeks, but silvers continue to enter the creek. Casting spoons or drifting roe around the tide cycle are good methods for Bird Creek. Pink and chum salmon are still present but are beginning to thin out.
• On July 14, portions of Campbell Creek opened to coho (silver) salmon fishing. Anglers may not target or retain other salmon species including king salmon.
  • Coho (silver) salmon fishing has been slow to fair. Coho are present throughout the creek and some are still stacking up higher up in Campbell Creek. Fewer fish are entering the creek as we are past the peak of the run. Fishing is expected to remain slow until the water level recedes following the most recent rain events. Try casting spinners through deep pools or drifting roe under a bobber.

Local Lakes

• At any stocked lake, slowly stripping a wet fly to entice a bite from a fish cruising the lake’s edge. Small bait or jigs under a bobber are always good options when fish are schooled-up. As the nights get longer and cooler, fishing the morning will be best bet.
• Sand Lake is a great producer of stocked fish during late-summer. Sand Lake can easily be accessed with a canoe or kayak. Paddle around the lake and look for schooling rainbow trout and cast at them with a small spinner.
• Delong Lake has great shoreline access. Dry flies on calm evenings or early mornings are a good option in addition to small spinners or bait under a bobber.
• Are you looking for a fishing adventure? Eagle River/Chugiak area lakes can be fun with fast action. Edmonds, Mirror, and Beach lakes were all stocked with a healthy amount of rainbow trout this summer. These three lakes are shallower, so avoid fishing during the heat of mid-day and try fishing in the morning or late evening.
• Looking for information on Anchorage stocked lakes? Check out the Anchorage Stocked Lakes publication with bathymetric maps and how to access 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 has now been stocked with around 3,000 catchable rainbow trout.
• 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.

• Emergency Order 2-SS-2-61-23 increases the bag and possession limit for coho salmon, 16 inches or greater in length, in the Ship Creek drainage from its mouth upstream to a cable 100 feet downstream of the Chugach Power Plant dam, to six fish.

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.