Anchorage Fishing Report
Posted by Kate on Jul 26th 2026
Ship Creek and Bird Creek have both been open for coho (silver) salmon since July 14, but it hasn't been an explosive start.
Heavy rain has both creeks running high and murky, and anglers are only picking up a few fish per tide. Kings are officially closed at Ship Creek — any king you hook has to stay in the water and be released immediately, no exceptions.
The good news: The Coho's will keep coming, so watch some videos and get your technique dialed in now means you'll be ready when things pick up.
Local Anchorage stocked lakes (including Cheney, DeLong, Campbell Point, Jewel, and Sand lakes) were restocked recently. In total, the Hatchery will release 4 million Chinook (king) salmon, coho (silver) salmon, rainbow trout, and Arctic Char in 200 lakes around Southcentral.
Be sure to check out our Anchorage Stocked Lakes page where we have a complete report on each of the 8 stocked lakes within 30 minutes of Downtown.
This Week at a Glance
- Ship Creek, Bird Creek, and Campbell Creek all opened for coho (silver) salmon on July 14.
- King salmon retention is not allowed at any of the three
- Coho are just starting to show but it is SLOW FISHING; Ship and Bird typically peak late July–early August, Campbell mid-to-late August.
- Daily limit at all three hatchery creeks is 3 salmon per day/in possession, and all 3 can be coho.
- Campbell Creek remains restricted to one unbaited, single-hook lure through July 31 (a holdover from the youth king fishery) — standard bait rigs aren't legal there until August 1.
- Bonus option: it's an even year, so pink salmon should be plentiful in Ship and Bird — good beginner and kid-friendly action.
- Rainbow trout fishing continues to be excellent in Anchorage-area lakes.
- Always review current Emergency Orders before heading out.
Where We are Fishing
We are fishing Ship. Call us optomistic, but we think the runs will start to pick up over the next week.
Pay attention to the Tide Charts that are in our Fishing Brochure. Fish 3 hours before and 3 hours after high Tide. Fishing is also open 24 hours, so you can fish very late and very early and take advantage of the midnight sun.
If Ship Creek's crowded, Bird Creek (about 27 miles south on the Seward Highway) runs on the same tide-timing pattern and the same peak window. Campbell Creek fishes differently — best early in the morning before the sun hits the water — but remember it's single-hook, no-bait there until August 1.
If you have kids with you, choose Bird Creek over Ship Creek. Bird is a much easier river to fish for kids.
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