Pike fishing in the Nancy Lake system is still good with the low water temperatures. Early morning or late afternoon are when the pike are likely feeding. South Rolly, Nancy, and Red Shirt lakes are the best bets. Try trolling herring or casting weedless spoons into the shallows.

Around Anchorage, try some of the local streams for rainbows and dollies. Campbell, and Chester are good bets for both. Symphony Lake also offers excellent grayling fishing in a remote setting.

Derbies close this weekend

Anglers are running out of time to catch the leaders in the Homer Halibut Derby and Valdez halibut and silver salmon derbies, with Sunday being the last day for each.

Soldotna's Chad Aldridge still holds the lead in the Homer derby. The 350.8-pound halibut he caught in June is more than 40 pounds heavier than the closest competitor.

Annette Gutierrez of Fairbanks caught a 335.7-pound halibut in July, good enough to lead the Valdez Halibut Derby by nearly 100 pounds.

The Valdez Silver Salmon Derby is a little more competitive, with Jack Yakura's 18.68-pounder holding the lead. The fisherman from Fairfield, Calif., caught the big silver on Aug. 16, three days after Arizona's Lenore Groundwater caught a 16.58-pounder.

The Daily News fishing report is published each Thursday. For the latest and most comprehensive information every day, check the links on adn.com/outdoors/sportfishing. In addition to reports from Department of Fish and Game biologists across the state, you will find lots of photos in the Nice Catch galleries, links to current weather, river and stream flows, tide charts, fish counts, salmon run timing, fishing derbies across the state and how-to videos. You can also buy a fishing license online, check the regulations, read a blog with the latest fishery closures and emergency orders, and sign up for our fishing newsletter email.