Area Sport Fishing Reports
Anchorage

July 24, 2024

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• Bird Creek opened to sport fishing for all species except king salmon on July 14^th. Anglers have been catching a few chum and pink salmon, but fishing for coho (silver) salmon is off to a very slow start.
  • Reminder: Bird Creek is only open to sport fishing for salmon other than kings from its mouth up to a marker approximately 500 yards upstream.
• Portions of the Campbell Creek drainage opened to coho (silver) salmon on July 14^th. A few coho (silver) salmon have entered into Campbell Creek, but fishing has been slow and will be for another week or two.
  • Reminder: Campbell Creek is closed to fishing for all other salmon including king salmon. King salmon that are incidentally caught may not be removed from the water and must be immediately released.
• Ship Creek reopened to sport fishing on July 14^th. Salmon fishing has been slow to fair at Ship Creek. Coho (silver) salmon catches improved over the last few days, but fishing is slower than expected for this time of year. Anglers are reporting pink salmon catches in Ship Creek. Fishing will continue to build with each tide. Try casting spinners or drifting roe under a bobber during the incoming tide.
  • Reminder: By emergency order, Ship Creek is closed to the retention of king salmon for the remainder of the year.

Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic Char

• Rainbow trout fishing on Campbell and Chester creeks has improved as the water levels have come down on both creeks. Try casting small spinners in deep holes near Taku-Campbell Park, Arctic Boulevard, or Dowling Road. Anglers will also have success for trout and Dolly Varden by fishing egg patterns and beads behind spawning salmon in upper Campbell Creek.

Local Lakes

• Rainbow trout fishing has been good to excellent throughout the Anchorage management area.
• Shore-based anglers are having success at Delong and Taku-Campbell lakes in Anchorage. Try slowly stripping wet flies or fishing bait under a bobber.
• If you have canoe or kayak, fishing Mirror, Sand, and Campbell Point lakes have been very productive for rainbow trout late into the summer.
• For those looking for an adventure this week, Symphony Lake on the South Fork Eagle River trail (~5 miles each-way) has been excellent for Arctic Grayling and Rabbit Lake (~4.5 miles each way) can be a scenic fishing opportunity for rainbow trout. In both lakes, try casting and stripping small streamers or nymphs.

Special Species Information

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. 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-KS-2-28-24 closes Ship Creek to sport fishing for all species from its mouth upstream to a cable 100 feet downstream of the Chugach Power Plant Dam through July 13, 2024 and in addition, closes Ship Creek from its mouth upstream to a cable 100 feet downstream of the Chugach Power Plant dam to the retention of king salmon for the remainder of the year.

Don't forget to purchase your 2024 sport fishing license and king stamp! You can purchase and display your fishing license and king stamp, record your annual harvest (i.e. king salmon), access sport fishing regulations and locations, and so much more on your mobile device. Download the ADF&G Mobile App today. You can also purchase licenses through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home. Make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2024 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.

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