It’s a fishing day

Anchor River (Anchor Point) fishing conditions · Alaska

Nothing in seasonfor anything people fish for here

Every species people fish for here is out of season or closed today.

Log a trip here

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Alaska non-tidal regulations for these waters.

Coho Salmon

Coho salmon

Oncorhynchus kisutch

–Not scoredNo targeting

No targetingClosed to targeting. Release any you hook at once.

Water

32°
34°44–58° · ideal 53°68°

Why

Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Below coho salmon's active range (44–58°F). Holds 10–120 ft down.

Keep

2 a day

Closed to targeting. Release any you hook at once. Kenai Peninsula flowing waters: chum, coho, pink and sockeye salmon 16" or longer are 3 a day in combination, 3 in possession, and only 2 of those may be coho. Open July 16–October 31 in the lower 2 miles only; upstream of the ADF&G markers above the Old Sterling Highway bridge, salmon fishing is closed year-round. Bait and multiple hooks only in August; otherwise one unbaited single-hook fly or lure. Alaska changes limits by Emergency Order in season, so check the ADF&G emergency orders the day you fish.

Verified Oct 18, 2026 · Anchor River, lower 2 miles

Last checked 20 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: May–Oct. More on coho salmon

Steelhead

Steelhead

Oncorhynchus mykiss

–Not scoredNo targeting

No targetingClosed to targeting. Release any you hook at once.

Water

32°
30°40–55° · ideal 48°65°

Why

Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Below steelhead's active range (40–55°F). Holds 2–60 ft down.

Keep

no harvest

Closed to targeting. Release any you hook at once. Rainbow/steelhead are catch-and-release only and may not be taken out of the water. The lower 2 miles are open July 16–October 31; above the markers, August 1–October 31 with one unbaited single-hook fly or lure. Alaska changes limits by Emergency Order in season, so check the ADF&G emergency orders the day you fish.

Verified Oct 18, 2026 · Lower 2 miles

Last checked 20 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Oct–Apr. More on steelhead

Chinook Salmon

Chinook salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

–Not scoredOut of season

Out of seasonOut of season here today. Check the agency before fishing.

Water

32°
32°42–58° · ideal 50°68°

Why

Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Below chinook salmon's active range (42–58°F). Holds 15–150 ft down.

Keep

20" minimum · 1 a day

Out of season here today. Check the agency before fishing. King salmon fishing in the Kenai River, the Anchorage area and most Kenai Peninsula fresh water is closed in 2026 by emergency order. Do not fish for kings, and release any you hook immediately. Alaska changes limits by Emergency Order in season, so check the ADF&G emergency orders the day you fish.

Verified Oct 18, 2026 · Alaska non-tidal

Last checked 20 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–Oct. More on chinook salmon

Dolly Varden

Dolly Varden

Salvelinus malma

–Not scoredNo targeting

No targetingClosed to targeting. Release any you hook at once.

Water

32°
28°38–58° · ideal 48°68°

Why

Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Below Dolly Varden's active range (38–58°F). Holds 1–15 ft down.

Keep

2 a day

Closed to targeting. Release any you hook at once. Kenai Peninsula flowing waters: Arctic char/Dolly Varden are 2 a day, 2 in possession, no size limit. The lower 2 miles are closed to all fishing January 1–July 15 and open July 16–October 31; above the markers, other species may be fished August 1–October 31 with one unbaited single-hook fly or lure. Alaska changes limits by Emergency Order in season, so check the ADF&G emergency orders the day you fish.

Verified Nov 6, 2026 · Lower 2 miles

Season here: May–Oct. More on Dolly Varden

The water

  • Water temperature32°F
  • River0.96 ft gauge height · falling
  • Barometer29.38 inHg, rising

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunset today4:58 pm
  • Sunrise tomorrow8:46 am
  • MoonWaning crescent, 5% lit
  • Major solunarToday 10:40 am–12:40 pm
  • Minor solunarToday 3:30 pm–4:30 pm
  • Major solunarTonight 11:10 pm–1:10 am

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fish in the river

Daily Alaska Department of Fish and Game counts at this water, against the last four seasons. Every Alaska count station

  • Anchor River Chinook

    3,431 counted in 2026

    Counting ended Aug 30. A typical 2022–2025 run: 3,211.

    Most fish pass Jun 8 – Jul 23, half by Jun 29.

  • Anchor River Coho

    6,040 counted in 2026

    Counting ended Sep 28. A typical 2022–2025 run: 2,718.

    Most fish pass Aug 12 – Sep 9, half by Aug 28.

  • Anchor River Dolly Varden

    2,297 counted in 2026

    Counting ended Sep 28. A typical 2022–2025 run: 3,288.

    Most fish pass Jul 15 – Sep 6, half by Aug 3.

  • Anchor River Steelhead

    702 counted in 2026

    Counting ended Sep 28. A typical 2022–2025 run: 860.

    Most fish pass Aug 27 – Sep 27, half by Sep 10.

Counts are fish past the station, not a catch forecast, and are preliminary. Checked daily; the numbers last changed Nov 5.

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game publishes a report for the state.

Licenses and rules: Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game · fish-consumption advisories

About this spot

A small, road-side Kenai Peninsula river at Anchor Point with runs of king and coho salmon, steelhead and Dolly Varden, fished from the Anchor River State Recreation Area in the lower two miles. ADF&G counts all four runs.

Lower 2 miles (to the markers above the Old Sterling Highway bridge): closed January 1–July 15 and from November 1; king salmon may not be kept in 2026. Steelhead are catch-and-release and may not be taken out of the water. Above the markers, no salmon fishing at all.

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Deep Creek (Ninilchik)18 mi · AlaskaSteelhead, best today 4 pm to tomorrow 12 am
68Marginal
Homer / Kachemak Bay19 mi · AlaskaBest today 4 pm to tomorrow 12 pmSmall Craft Advisory
61Marginal
Ninilchik River20 mi · AlaskaSteelhead, best today 4 pm to tomorrow 12 am
68Marginal

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Anchor River (Anchor Point)?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Anchor River (Anchor Point) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Anchor River (Anchor Point)?

Anchor River (Anchor Point) is listed on this site for 4 commonly-targeted species: Coho Salmon, Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Dolly Varden. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Anchor River (Anchor Point)?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Anchor River (Anchor Point) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Anchor River (Anchor Point) have?

Anchor River (Anchor Point) has shoreline / wading access. There is no pier or boat ramp at this location. Lower 2 miles (to the markers above the Old Sterling Highway bridge): closed January 1–July 15 and from November 1; king salmon may not be kept in 2026. Steelhead are catch-and-release and may not be taken out of the water. Above the markers, no salmon fishing at all.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Anchor River (Anchor Point)?

state agency regulations apply at Anchor River (Anchor Point). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Anchor River (Anchor Point) tidal water?

No. Anchor River (Anchor Point) is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.