Eagle River king salmon fishing closed; Campbell Creek youth fishery catch-and-release only

King salmon fishing is closed entirely on Eagle River, and young anglers at Campbell Creek's annual youth fishery will be limited to catch-and-release this year under emergency orders issued in May 2026.

The restrictions reflect ongoing conservation concerns for weak king salmon runs across Southcentral Alaska. Eagle River has been under a complete king salmon closure since May 1. Campbell Creek's youth-only fishery, scheduled for the last Saturday and Sunday in June, will allow kids to fish for kings but not keep them.

The Campbell Creek youth fishery normally draws families to a stretch between Dimond Boulevard and the Old Seward Highway for one weekend each summer. This year marks the first time the event will operate as catch-and-release only since emergency restrictions began appearing regularly in 2023.

Anglers can still fish Eagle River for other species using one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure with a gap of half-inch or less between the point and shank. The same gear restriction applies to Campbell Creek from June 15 through July 31.

My read is that these urban fisheries have become the easiest place for managers to impose restrictions when king runs look weak, because closing a creek in Anchorage affects fewer people than shutting down a major river system. What gets lost is that Campbell Creek's youth fishery exists precisely because most young anglers do not have access to remote rivers where king salmon runs remain healthier. Turning it into catch-and-release preserves the event in name but removes the part that made it meaningful for families who cannot afford a guided trip to the Kenai.

The restrictions will remain in place through the 2026 season unless managers issue new orders lifting them.