Kings Showing Up In Ship Creek

The following is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Anchorage Fishing Report

May 25, 2022

Freshwater Fishing 

Hooligan

• Dipnetting for hooligan (smelt) opened April 1 and will remain open until June 15 in freshwaters. There is no bag or possession limit.
• This is a personal use fishery, and only Alaska residents can participate. No permit is required, but you do need a valid 2022 Alaska resident fishing license or ADF&G Permanent fishing license ID card with you.
• Hooligan run timing is highly variable, but fish continue to come in though it has slowed down some at Twentymile River.
• 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 obey all signs and do not block the boat launch.
• For additional information on dipnetting for hooligan see page 16 in the 2022 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.

Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic Char

• Spawning closures are in place for Campbell and Chester creeks. Both creeks closed to all sport fishing on April 15 and will remain closed through June 14 to protect spawning rainbow trout.

Salmon

• Ship Creek is open to king salmon fishing. A few kings have been caught, and fishing should continue to pick up! Try bait behind a spin-n-glow or spinners when targeting Ship Creek kings. Fishing a couple of hours before the incoming tide is a good place to start.
• No other flowing waters in the Anchorage Bowl are open to salmon fishing.
• Bird Creek is currently closed to fishing.

Saltwater Fishing 

Hooligan

• Dipnetting for hooligan opened on April 1 and will close on May 31 in salt waters. Hooligan catches are starting to slow. Trying both the incoming and outgoing high tide are good options.

Local Lakes 

• Anchorage Bowl lakes are open! Most lakes in Anchorage have been stocked with catchable-sized rainbow trout, so now is a good time to get out! A slow-moving wet fly or spinner to entice a bite from a fish cruising the new open water looking for food is a good option. Bait under a bobber is also a good option.
• Have a canoe, kayak, or small raft? Jewel Lake is a great option to drop in and get around the lake to find some of these freshly stocked fish. Dry flies in the evening have produced some fun fishing on these sunny days. Small spinners are a great option right now as well. These should work well at many of the stocked lakes.
• Looking for information on Anchorage stocked lakes? Check out this publication with bathymetric maps and how to access locations.
• Check out the stocking webpage to find out when your favorite lake was last stocked.
• Fishing on base? Just a reminder, you need to register with iSportsman and check with base personnel before fishing on JBER.
• Northern pike is not native to Anchorage area lakes but there are some in Lower Fire Lake. If you catch a pike in any Anchorage area lake, please do not release it.

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 2022 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2022 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 2022 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.