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Southcentral Alaska Fishing Spots

Ship Creek in downtown Anchorage offers great Alaska king salmon fishing and the ultimate in angling convenience. And after king season ends, fish for silvers! Salmon Derbies are held each June and August.

Numerous Anchorage lakes are stocked with rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, landlocked salmon, Arctic char and Arctic grayling. Canoe and paddleboat rentals are available from various vendors in town.

Anchorage fishing regulations are subject to change. Please check with the Alaska Department of Fish & Game for the latest fishing rules and regulations.

Get your Alaska fishing license, and be sure to check out current Alaska fishing reports.

Fishing near Anchorage

• Bird Creek: An excellent silver and good pink salmon fishery an hours drive south of downtown.

• Mat-Su Valley Lakes: Just 40 minutes north find a whole system of quiet and productive lakes for trout fishing, Arctic Char, and landlocked salmon. Of note, the Deshka and Susitna rivers have strong runs of King and Coho Salmon respectively.

Fishing in Southcentral Alaska

• Kenai & Russian Rivers: Famous for big fish and "combat fishing," visitors may see anglers lined up here shoulder-to-shoulder trying their luck. Guided salmon fishing floats are available on the Kenai (home to the largest sportfish-caught king salmon weighing in at 97 lbs., 4 oz./44.8 kg. caught) and other popular sites.

• Montana, Sheep, Talkeetna, Little Susitna Rivers & Willow Creek: North of town by a couple hours, these rivers are great salmon and trout streams. Guided trips up the Talkeetna and its many tributaries are available. The Little Susitna River ranks number 2 for Silver salmon fishing.

• Halibut and Other Saltwater Fishing: Prince William Sound (Whittier) is just over an hour away, Resurrection Bay (Seward) is 2.5 hours, and Kachemak Bay (Homer) is 5 hours south. (There are quick commuter flights to both Seward and Homer.) Alaska boasts the world record for sportfish-caught halibut - a hefty 450 lbs. (202.5 kg.).

Alaska Fly-in Fishing Trips

Air taxi (float plane) rates average about $50 per hour per person for a party of four persons. Most air taxi operators offer fly-in services not only during the traditional fishing season but during the winter as well, for excellent ice fishing.

• Susitna River Drainage: This area is known worldwide for its tackle-busting king salmon. Anglers often return with fish weighing in excess of 65 pounds/30kg! Well known streams include Lake Creek, Talachulitna River, Talkeetna River, Deshka River or Alexander Creek.

• Bristol Bay Drainage: Further west, anglers will discover the trophy waters of numerous streams in the Lake Clark, Lake Iliamna, and King Salmon region. Fly-in float trips to various locations are also available. Saltwater fishing options include quick flights to Seward or Homer or a longer flight to Kodiak Island or Dutch Harbor.