We report on the production and fluorescence of active channel waveguides in Cr:LiSrAlF6. We have produced ∼10 μm wide and 5 μm high channel waveguides by He+ ion implantation, lithographic patterning and subsequent Ar+ ion sputtering. Diode-pumped waveguides emitted 13 μW of fluorescence light with a spectrum ranging from 760 nm to 900 nm at a pump power of 165 mW and a pump wavelength of 660 nm. The compact and cheap optical pump source is a main advantage of this fluorescence material. This makes Cr:LiSrAlF6 channel waveguides a suitable candidate for a broadband fluorescence source in low-coherence interferometry and other applications in the near-infrared wavelength range.