Bird Creek Silver Salmon Run
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2004 Season:
Average Size: 6-12 lbs. up to 18
Limit: 3 daily/3 Possession
Run Size: 4,500 – 6,000
Escapement: None |
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About the Run
The Bird Creek Silver Salmon run is an enhanced fishery.
The ADFG plants Silver smolts into the creek as part of the Urban Coho
Stocking program which also stocks Ship Creek, the Eklutna Tailrace,
and Campbell Creek. There is a small wild Silver population in the creek
which usually return late in the run. So September and October have
a higher percentage of wild run fish.
There were no Silvers planted in 2000, 2001 or 2002 because of scheduled
construction at the mouth of Bird Creek. The first return of Silvers
will be in 2005 and should be an average return of 4,500 to 6000 fish.
In the past, the ADFG has stocked the creek more aggressively but the
crowds of fishermen that this drew caused environmental problems.
The fish average six to twelve pounds and can reach eighteen pounds.
They are good fighting and biting fish but due to the limited structure
on the creek there will be crowds wherever they are holding.
When to Fish
Bird Creek’s Silvers start trickling into the creek at the beginning
of July. The run peaks during the last week of July through the first
three weeks in August. Fish continue to come into the creek through
October.
Basically Bird Creek can only be fished on the incoming tide. Fish the
mouth at the slack low tide but be careful of the mud flats around the
mouth. Fish the run as it comes in with the tide. There are not a lot
of holes in the stream so you may need to fish smaller holding water
below boulders etc.
When the tide is high, Bird Creek is unfishable. The entire area open
in salmon fishing is within the tidewater area so at high tide you are
completely cut off from the fish.
Regulations
The daily limit is three salmon per day with three in possession. All
three salmon can be silvers or any combination of Silvers, Sockeyes,
Pinks, or chums. Note King Salmon are present in Bird Creek but King
fishing is not allowed in the creek. All accidentally caught Kings must
be immediately returned to the water.
Fishing is open year round from the mouth of the Creek to the marker
about 500 yards up stream of the mouth. There are no special regulations
for terminal tackle or bait. Roe either weighted or under a bobber would
also be a good solution.
Note: Alaskan Sportfishing regulations
change greatly from year to year, even day to day with emergency orders.
Be sure to always check for the most up to date regulations from the
ADFG.
Recommended Gear
Bird Creek does have the potential of being a combat fishing zone but
it probably isn’t necessary to gear up too much to fish here.
8 to 15 pound test line on a spinning reel with a good drag would be
fine. For Flyfishing use a 7 or 8 weight rod with an 8 to 12 pound tippet.
For terminal tackle, try using a little extra flash due to the semi-silty
waters. Try using a small amount of roe on lures to give an attractive
scent.
A recommended tackle box would include.
Artificial Lures
Coho Flies
Spoons
Vibrax or Mepps Spinners
Bait
Salmon Eggs
Bobbers
Weights
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