How to Fish for Salmon in Anchorage, Alaska

fishing image by Terje Asphaug from Fotolia.com

Anchorage waterways flow down from the Chugach Mountains to Cook Inlet. Though a metropolitan area, Alaska's largest city features productive salmon fishing. Ship Creek and other fishing grounds offer different species of salmon for anglers. Lakes, rivers and streams in the city hold populations of king, silver and pink salmon.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Fishing license
Fishing gear and equipment
Lures
Cooler

Step 1

Obtain a fishing license from grocery stores, gas stations, outdoor retailers, outfitters, bait and tackle shops and other outlets, or from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website. You can purchase an annual fishing license or short-term permits.

Step 2

Choose a site. Options include Ship Creek in downtown, Bird Creek, Campbell Creek and the Little Susitna River. Ship Creek is the most popular and successful area for king and silver salmon fishing in Anchorage, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Step 3

Fish for salmon during salmon runs or when they are spawning, as this is the most effective time to catch them. The king salmon run at Ship Creek is from late May through mid-July while the silver salmon run from mid-July through early September.

Step 4

Interview local guides, bait and tackle shops and other salmon anglers to find out the types of equipment, gear and lures that work for the specific salmon and fishing grounds in Anchorage that you intend to fish. Gaining this knowledge as well as experience can help you catch more fish. Use a cooler to chill and transport catch at the end of the day.

Step 5

Follow fishing regulations. The possession limit for salmon in Anchorage is 10 per day. Consult the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website for sport fishing regulations applicable to Anchorage.

Tips & Warnings

Most anglers in Anchorage target three species of salmon in the city: king, silver and pink salmon.

Cast at the Turnagain Arm streams where wild stock salmon sport fisheries occur. Fish for pink salmon in Bird Creek and silver salmon in Twentymile River.

Note that additional fees apply for a king salmon stamp as part of your fishing permit.

Resources

Article Written By Rona Aquino

Rona Aquino began writing professionally in 2008. As an avid marathon runner and outdoor enthusiast, she writes on topics of running, fitness and outdoor recreation for various publications. Aquino holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications and English from the University of Maryland College Park.

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