Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 29, 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 are expected to be high on Campbell Creek, making rainbow trout/Dolly Varden fishing difficult. However, anglers that fish in between the rain events this week will find Rainbow Trout and Dolly Varden throughout the creek. Try fishing small spinners, egg imitations, or small pieces of roe in deep holes.

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 the run has about come to an end. A few lucky anglers are reporting occasional catches of coho on Ship Creek.
• 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 slow on Bird Creek and the run has about come to an end.
• 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. Few fish are entering the creek this late in the run. Blushed coho are present throughout the creek and anglers might be able to find a few scattered brighter fish if they explore the creek. Try looking for deeper holes and drifting roe underneath a bobber.

Local Lakes

• Stocked lakes will be the best bet for fishing in Anchorage over the Labor Day weekend. As the nights get longer and cooler, stocked fish will become very active.
• Rainbow trout fishing has been excellent at Campbell Point, Cheney, and Delong Lakes. Stripping small streamers or nymphs is a great approach for fly anglers, while casting spinners or fishing bait under a bobber has been successfully for anglers using spinning rods. Anglers that can access these lakes with a float tube or canoe will have improved success.
• Are you looking for a fishing adventure? A late-season hike into Symphony Lake is fun outing for fishing and berry picking for the Labor Day weekend. Symphony Lake can be accessed via a 5-mile hike (each way) on the South Fork Eagle River trail. Symphony Lake is known for its non-stop Arctic grayling action, but few anglers are aware of the rainbow trout in Symphony Lake that were first stocked in 2020.
• 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.