On May 14, 1996, about 1435 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Piper PA-18-150 airplane, N5760D, sustained substantial damage when it collided with trees during takeoff from Fish Creek, near Big Lake, Alaska. The solo private pilot was not injured. The local, 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot reported he had just converted his airplane from wheels to floats, and was departing to the west, from Fish Creek towards the juncture of Fish Creek and Big Lake. He estimated the wind as 10 to 12 knots from the northwest. Shortly after liftoff, he said a wind gust estimated at 30 knots, lifted the right wing and caused the airplane to turn left, toward adjacent trees. He said he was unable to correct quickly enough to avoid the trees, and the airplane subsequently struck trees located in front of a lakeside residence. The pilot said a small boat located near the crash site also received some damage.