Alaska Fishing Reports: Anchorage Area

[silversalmon]

Fishing Report for May 27, 2008 Anchorage Area EOs
2-RT-2-05-08
2-RT-2-04-08



Anchorage area

Week of May 27 to June 2

Issued May 27, 2008



Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

• Emergency Order number 2-RT-2-04-08 prohibits the retention of rainbow trout from Campbell Creek and Chester Creek (including University Lake) drainages.

• Emergency Order number 2-RT-2-05-08 prohibits the retention of rainbow trout from the Sixmile Creek Drainage of Elmendorf AFB.

• The salt water personal use fishery for hooligan closes at midnight, May 31. Between June 1 and June 15 all hooligan dipnetting must take place in fresh waters.

• Eagle River will be open to king salmon fishing this weekend, from May 31 through June 2, from the Bailey Bridge on Fort Richardson upstream to regulatory markers at the Eagle River Campground.

Fresh waters

Salmon

• King salmon fishing on Ship Creek is still slow, but anglers are catching them. Try fishing the incoming tide for the best opportunity of hooking into one of these chrome beauties.

• Expect slow fishing for king salmon on Eagle River this weekend.

Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic Grayling

• Expect stream fishing to be fair to good for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden.

• Campbell and Chester creeks will not be stocked this summer and will be catch and release for rainbow trout all year. Only unbaited artificial lures may be used.

Northern Pike

• Expect fair pike fishing in Sand Lake.

• Pike fishing in Cheney and Lower Fire Lake is expected to be slow this week.

• The best time to fish or hunt for pike is in the late evening hours. Now is a good time to spear them, or to shoot them with bow and arrow.

Lake Fishing

• Arctic char fishing at both Sand Lake and Campbell Point Lake should be fair

• Rainbow trout stocked last year are still present in local lakes. Flies, bait and spinners all work during the spring. Try fishing the evening hatches.

• Several area lakes have recently been stocked, so check the stocking link below to find out where. Only 14 lakes in the Anchorage Area will be stocked this summer: Campbell Point, Clunie, Delong, Fish, Green, Gwen, Hillberg, Jewel, Otis, Mirror, Sand, Spring, Triangle, and Walden lakes.

• Both of the remote stocked lakes – Symphony and Rabbit — are still locked in an icy grip.

Salt waters

Hooligan (smelt, eulachon)

• Dipnetting for hooligan should be fair to good right now. Remember that on June 1 dipnetting is allowed only in fresh waters, so everyone should be dipping along the Twentymile River this Sunday, and not in Turnagain Arm.

• This is a "personal use" fishery, so only Alaska residents may participate. No permit is required, but you do need an Alaska resident fishing license or ADF&G PID with you while dipnetting.

• 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, don't throw it on the ground. Please do not trash the dipnetting site.

[silversalmon]

TRIP DATE:  5/27
REGION:  Anchorage
WATER:  Ship Creek
SPECIES:  Kings

REPORT: Fished the incoming PM tide from 9pm-11pm. Saw 1 hooked and landed about 10:45 directly across from me right next to the north side steps by the railroad bridge as the ebb was coming up. Looks like it was a nice 25lb female caught on a charteuse yarn fly.

[silversalmon]

Fishing Report for July 01, 2008 Anchorage Area EOs
2-RT-2-05-08
2-RT-2-04-08



Anchorage Area

Week of July 1 to July 7

Issued July 1, 2008



Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

• Emergency Order number 2-RT-2-04-08 prohibits the retention of rainbow trout from Campbell Creek and Chester Creek (including University Lake) drainages.

• Emergency Order number 2-RT-2-05-08 prohibits the retention of rainbow trout from the Sixmile Creek Drainage of Elmendorf AFB.

• Campbell Creek is closed to salmon fishing.

Fresh waters

Salmon

• Ship Creek king salmon continue to move into the river with the incoming tide and fishing can be fair to good depending on the number of fish moving in with the tide. Anglers using bait and lures have been catching some nice fish. Fish are starting to show their spawning colors and vary from blush to red.

• Poachers have once again been on Campbell Creek illegally harvesting salmon. Anglers are reminded that Campbell Creek is closed to all salmon fishing at this time, including catch-and-release. Nets may not be used to capture fish. Report poachers (and vehicle license plates, if you know them) to Fish and Wildlife Safeguard at 1-800-478-3377.

Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic Grayling

• Campbell and Chester creeks will not be stocked this summer and will be catch and release for rainbow trout all year. Only unbaited artificial lures may be used.

• Expect stream fishing to be pretty good for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden in Chester Creek. Small spinners and light weight fly gear are the ticket as these fish are looking for presentations imitating their natural food sources.

• Fishing in Campbell Creek for Dolly Varden and rainbow trout should be fair to good depending on where you are fishing in the drainage.

Northern Pike

• Sand Lake is producing some nice catches of pike. Anglers are hooking up with a wide variety of methods to catch these tasty fish.

• Pike fishing in Cheney and Lower Fire Lake is reported to be slow.

• Other exciting methods of fishing for pike include spearing and bow hunting them. Try hunting them in the evening or in the middle of the day when sun is out they will be basking themselves in the shallow water and should be easy to spot.

• Pickled pike make a delicious and nutritious snack.

Lake Fishing

• Don't forget to check out the stocking web page.

• Area stocked lakes are giving up some nice limits with fish up to 15 inches in length. Kids at Delong and Jewel lakes are having a great time catching these fish.

• Remote lakes – Symphony Lake is open and fishing is reported to be good for Arctic grayling. Rabbit Lake was last reported to be iced over. These lakes require a lengthy scenic hike, but the solitude and fishing is worth the journey. Salt waters Hooligan (smelt, eulachon)

• This personal use fishery closed June 15.

[silversalmon]

TRIP DATE:  7/6
REGION:  Anchorage
WATER:  Ship Creek
SPECIES:  Chinook

REPORT: Made it down to the creek at startup and watched the flippers miss a few but no one hooked up. Soaked some roe with a spin glo and hooked up on a nice 35# hen. She was in very good shape given the time of year. There are still a few kings to be had if you put in the time down at the Ship Ditch! I did see a small silver caught at the bridge on roe. Hopefully a sign of things to come. Be safe and happy hunting.

[silversalmon]

Fishing Report for July 15, 2008 Anchorage Area EOs
2-RT-2-05-08
2-RT-2-04-08



Anchorage Area

Week of July 15 to July 21

Issued July 15, 2008

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

• All Anchorage area streams are now closed to king salmon fishing.

• Emergency Order number 2-RT-2-04-08 prohibits the retention of rainbow trout from Campbell Creek and Chester Creek (including University Lake) drainages.

• Emergency Order number 2-RT-2-05-08 prohibits the retention of rainbow trout from the Sixmile Creek Drainage of Elmendorf AFB.

Fresh waters

Salmon

• Silver salmon fishing in Ship Creek has yet to produce any confirmed catches. It is still early in the run, but try fishing the incoming tide with bait, spinners or spoons.

• A few anglers have been fishing Bird Creek, but there have been no reports of the first chum, pink, or silver salmon being caught.

• Campbell Creek remains closed to all salmon fishing until July 25, when the section between Dimond Blvd and C Street opens to silver salmon fishing.

• Poachers have once again been on Campbell Creek illegally harvesting salmon. Anglers are reminded that Campbell Creek is closed to all salmon fishing at this time, including catch-and-release. Report poachers (and vehicle license plates, if you know them) to Fish and Wildlife Safeguard at 1-800-478-3377.

Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic Grayling

• Campbell and Chester creeks will not be stocked this summer and will be catch-and-release for rainbow trout all year. Only unbaited, artificial lures may be used.

• Stream fishing has been pretty good for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden in Chester Creek. Small spinners and lightweight fly gear are the ticket as these fish are looking for presentations imitating their natural food sources.

• Fishing in Campbell Creek for Dolly Varden and rainbow trout should be fair to good depending on where you are fishing in the drainage. Be bear aware when fishing this drainage.

Northern Pike

• Local pike fisheries include Sand, Lower Fire, and Cheney lakes; a few nice fish are being caught.

• Try fishing in the evening. A little patience may be required to hook one of these feisty fish.

• Pickled pike make a delicious and nutritious snack.

Lake Fishing

• Check the stocking web page (below).

• Some large Arctic Char have reportedly been caught by anglers in the deep waters of Sand Lake. You may also want to try Campbell Point Lake as well for these fish, however, there have been no reported catches as of yet.

• Fishing in locally stocked lakes has been pretty good, especially with the cooler weather.

• Remote lakes – Symphony Lake is open and fishing is reported to be good for Arctic grayling. Rabbit Lake might be fishable at this time, but it would be wise to check with your local fishing vendor to make sure the lake is ice-free before hiking into the lake. These lakes require a lengthy, scenic hike, but the solitude and fishing is worth the journey.

Salt waters

Hooligan (smelt, eulachon)

• This personal use fishery closed June 15.

[silversalmon]

Fishing Report for August 19, 2008
   
Anchorage Area EOs
2-RT-2-05-08
2-RT-2-04-08

Anchorage Area

Week of August 19 to August 25

Issued August 25, 2008

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

• All Anchorage-area streams are closed to king salmon fishing.

• Chester Creek, including West Chester Lagoon, is closed year round to all salmon fishing. • Emergency Order No. 2-RT-2-04-08 prohibits the retention of rainbow trout from Campbell Creek and Chester Creek (including University Lake) drainages.

• Emergency Order number 2-RT-2-05-08 prohibits the retention of rainbow trout from the Sixmile Creek drainage of Elmendorf Air Force Base.

• Campbell Creek is open to silver salmon fishing through October 1, between Dimond Boulevard upstream to ADF&G markers near Shelikof Street, and between ADF&G markers on the upstream side of the Lake Otis Parkway bridge to ADF&G markers near Piper Street.

Fresh waters

Salmon

• Ship Creek silver salmon fishing has slowed over the past several days. Anglers are catching fish on corky-and-yarn combinations, salmon roe, and spinners. Try the incoming and outgoing tides for fresh fish.

• Fishing for silvers on Bird Creek continues to be spotty; a strong run of pink salmon and chums has provided some exciting action for many anglers. • Silver fishing on Campbell Creek is expected to be fair.

• Pinks and chums are being caught in California and Ingram Creeks; silvers should now be present in these fisheries.

• Be smart when fishing – do not let bears associate anglers with fish or food. Take each fish you catch up to your vehicle and clean your fish at home. Please keep all bait, food, and drink in your backpack, and wear your backpack. Better yet, keep food and drink in your vehicle.

• Report poachers (and vehicle license plates, if possible) to Fish and Wildlife Safeguard at 1-800-478-3377.

Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic Grayling

• Campbell and Chester Creeks will not be stocked this summer and will be catch-and-release for rainbow trout all year.

• Fishing for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden is good now in Chester and Campbell creeks. Stream levels have dropped with drier weather, creating optimal fishing conditions – at least for now. Try small spinners and single egg patterns behind spawning salmon.

• Be "bear aware" when fishing Campbell Creek, and all local streams that host salmon runs.

Northern Pike

• Local pike fisheries include Sand, Lower Fire, and Cheney lakes. Anglers fishing pike in these lakes can expect fair fishing.

• Streamer fly patterns, large spoons, and herring chunks fished below bobbers or on the bottom are all effective for pike. Remember to use steel leaders and keep fingers away from sharp pike teeth while removing hooks.

• Fishing is often best late in the evening.

Lake Fishing

• Check the stocking web page (below).

• Some large Arctic char have reportedly been caught by anglers in the deep waters of Sand Lake. You may also want to try Campbell Point Lake for these fish.

• Fishing in locally stocked lakes has been good, especially with the cooler weather.

• For anglers seeking solitude and high-country scenery, Symphony and Rabbit lakes in Chugach State Park offer wilderness experiences close to home. Anglers casting small spinners or streamer flies will find grayling in Symphony and rainbow trout in Rabbit Lake. These lakes require lengthy, scenic hikes, but the solitude and fishing can be worth the journey. For more information, visit the "Maps to Stocked Lakes" link provided below.

Salt waters Hooligan (smelt, eulachon)

• This personal-use fishery closed June 15.

[silversalmon]

TRIP DATE:  8/20
REGION:  Anchorage
WATER:  Campbell Creek
SPECIES:  Silvers

REPORT: I have walked/waded most of the creek from Dimond up to Cst and above. Once the water cleared and dropped I waded almost the entire way, I saw three silvers near the ''Gallos Hole'' and nothing else for now. Traditional holes on the creek have come up empty so far. Either I missed them or the run still hasn't gotten going yet. Will try again this week.