These stocking efforts, designed to increase angler opportunity near Alaska's largest city, have been tremendously successful, with annual harvests ranging between 4,000 to 8,000 silvers from 1993-1997. We expect the 1999 run to be around 7,500, substantially smaller that 1998's record run.
Bird Creek is closed to king salmon fishing.
While the 1998 season was an angler's dream because of the high number of fish, it was also filled with controversy and problems. The sheer number of folks in the area led to illegal and unsafe parking on the highway and bike path, trespass on private property, litter, snagging, over-limits, people impeding traffic and trains, and disruption to the local community. Anglers are urged to not park illegally along the Seward Highway. Plenty of parking exists a short walk from the creek at the Bird Ridge trailhead and in the two Chugach State Park Bird Creek campground parking lots. Let unethical anglers know their actions are not appreciated.