The large city of Anchorage, home to about half of Alaska's total population, offers plenty of outdoor recreation, including salmon fishing. Work out your muscles as you try to land one of the large king salmon or the smaller silver or pink salmon living in the city's streams and creeks. You can also hike or bike to a stream filled with silver and king salmon, ready for hauling in on your fishing line.
Fishing Licenses and Tags
Fishing in Anchorage requires purchasing an Alaska state fishing license, available online or at sporting goods stores in the city. As of 2010, fees for the licenses range from $24 annually for residents to $20 per day for non-residents. If you plan to fish for king salmon, you also need to purchase a king tag. King tags cost $10 annually for residents or $10 per day for non-residents.
Species of Salmon to Catch
Several species of salmon use Anchorage waters for habitat and as staging areas before heading upstream to spawn. King and silver salmon offer some of the tastiest salmon that can be caught in Anchorage. Pink salmon also use Anchorage streams and creeks on the way to their spawning grounds.
Family Fishing
Whether you're staying in Anchorage or arriving for a short time via cruise ship, head to Ship Creek in downtown Anchorage across from the Air Force Base. Ship Creek offers king, silver and pink salmon during the summer. From May through July, you might catch kings ranging in size from 12 to 40 pounds. From July through October, about 15,000 silvers weighing between 5 to 8 pounds each use the creek. Pink salmon show up in Ship Creek from July through August. You can fish the section of Ship Creek between the mouth of the creek to a point 100 feet below the Chugach Power Plant dam.
Salmon Fishing Near Anchorage
Head south of Anchorage on Seward Highway for 20 miles to reach Bird Creek, a favorite salmon fishing spot among locals. During July and August, you may find yourself standing shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of other salmon fishermen who hope to catch one of the pink or silver salmon moving upstream. The best locations to fish for salmon include near the mouth of the creek. Or, head to the tidal flats during low tide, but be careful not to get stuck in the gooey, sticky mud.
Fishing Adventures with Hiking or Biking
Easily accessible via bike paths and hiking through south Anchorage's greenbelts, Campbell Creek offers king and silver salmon fishing. On the last weekend of June each year, the creek holds a kids-only fishing event for children under the age of 16. Make sure you read all regulations before casting your line.
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