Gear & Tackle

Rivers & Streams

Fly Fishing

Spin, Cast & Bait

Ship Creek Fishing Guide

Alaska

A creek in downtown Anchorage where king salmon return in June and coho salmon in August. Check ADF&G emergency orders before fishing for kings.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Ship Creek for chinook salmon and coho salmon. October is off-peak for the main species here. There are 12 shops nearby (5 fly, 8 bait and tackle); the closest is The Bait Shack in Anchorage. Check the live USGS flow and water temperature before you head out. Passage Canal is also nearby if you want to make a trip of it.

Season at a Glance

Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
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Area around a representative access point; the river runs beyond it. View Larger Map

What You'll Catch

Ship Creek Species

Chinook Salmon

Chinook Salmon

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: May to Jul

Coho Salmon

Coho Salmon

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best: Jul to Sep

Images: Michael Humling, USFWS; Timothy Knepp, USFWS. Public domain.

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

6 picks for October.

  • Egg-Sucking Leech #2-6

    Fly

    Streamer · Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon

    Shop This Fly

  • Clouser Minnow #1/0-8

    Fly

    Streamer · Coho Salmon

    Shop This Fly

  • Intruder 2 to 4 in

    Fly

    Streamer · Chinook Salmon

    Shop This Fly

  • Casting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz

    Lure

    Spoon · Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon

    Shop This Lure

  • Inline Spinner 1/16 to 1/4 oz

    Lure

    Spinner · Coho Salmon

    Shop This Lure

  • Cured Salmon Eggs Single or cluster

    Bait

    Natural Bait · Chinook Salmon · Where bait is legal.

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Chinook Salmon

Fly 10 ft 9 or 10 wt rod, sink-tip line, 15 to 20 lb leader.

Spin / Cast 9 to 10.5 ft medium-heavy casting rod, line-counter or levelwind reel, 20 to 30 lb line.

Coho Salmon

Fly 9 to 10 ft 8 wt rod, sink-tip line, 12 lb leader.

Spin / Cast 8.5 to 9 ft medium rod, 3000 spinning reel, 10 to 15 lb line.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Ship Creek

Fly Rods

Echo Spey Rod

A two-handed rod for swinging flies across big steelhead and salmon runs.

Check Price

Flies

Steelhead Fly Assortment

Egg patterns, leeches, and swing flies for winter runs.

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Fly Rods

Orvis Clearwater 9 ft 8 wt Fly Rod

An 8 weight handles bass bugs, redfish flats, and wind. The most versatile warmwater and inshore size.

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Fly Lines

Scientific Anglers Sink-Tip Fly Line

Gets streamers down to fish holding deep in current.

Check Price

Spinners

Mepps Aglia Inline Spinner

A classic spinner for trout, bass, and salmon in moving water.

Check Price

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Nearby

Shops Near Ship Creek

Nearby

Guides and Charters Near Ship Creek

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Saltwater & Coast · Alaska · About 50 mi

Passage Canal

Whittier's fjord in western Prince William Sound, where boat anglers troll or mooch for coho and hatchery-stocked Chinook salmon.

Coho Salmon · Chinook Salmon

Rivers & Streams · Alaska

Russian River

The Kenai Peninsula river that meets the upper Kenai near Cooper Landing, with coho from late summer and rainbow trout early and late in the season. Closed to Chinook.

Coho Salmon · Rainbow Trout

Rivers & Streams · Alaska

Kenai River

A glacial river with late summer coho and rainbows that grow fat on salmon eggs. Historically famous for giant kings, but king fishing has been closed in recent years, so check ADF&G emergency orders.

Rainbow Trout · Coho Salmon