Anchorage, Alaska -- An Emergency Order has been issued to restrict Campbell and Chester creeks, including University Lake, to non-retention for rainbow/steelhead trout. This restriction goes into effect Friday, March 28, 2008. Anglers may not keep rainbow/steelhead trout from these streams or from University Lake, and must return rainbows to the water unharmed.

In the Chester Creek drainage, including University Lake, only unbaited, artificial lures may be used for the remainder of the year. In Campbell Creek downstream of the forks near Piper Street only unbaited, artificial lures may be used until the coho fishery opens on Campbell Creek July 25. During the youth only king salmon fishery, bait and multiple hooks may be used, when anglers age-15 years and younger may fish for king salmon on Campbell Creek between Dimond Boulevard and the Old Seward Highway between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. daily on the last Saturday and Sunday of June each year. In 2008 this will be Saturday, June 28, and Sunday, June 29. This Emergency Order does not affect Anchorage area stocked lakes, where the rainbow trout bag limit currently remains 5 per day / 5 in possession, only 1 per day / 1 in possession 20 inches or longer. This Emergency Order also does not affect Arctic char / Dolly Varden in these streams.

In 2006, due to the loss of warm water at the state hatcheries, only one-third of the usual Anchorage area rainbow trout quantity was available for stocking. Campbell Creek, normally stocked with 3,000 rainbow trout, was stocked with only 1,525 rainbows, and Chester Creek received only 325 rainbows. In 2007 and again in 2008, due to pathology concerns at Elmendorf Hatchery, neither of these streams will be stocked with rainbow trout.

Campbell and Chester creeks are very popular summer fisheries. This action has been taken to help ensure good fishing opportunities throughout the year, and to protect the native populations of rainbow trout that reside in both streams.

For more information on the pathology concern, see the news release posted at http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/eonr/nr.cfm?id=767

For more information about this Emergency Order, contact Chuck Brazil, Fishery Biologist in Anchorage at (907) 267-2186.