Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI

June 13, 2024

Freshwater Fishing

• Deep Creek is closed to all sport fishing through July 1, 2024.
• The Anchor River will be opening to catch and release fishing for king salmon on June 15-17 and the 19^th. Gear is restricted to single-hook no bait artificial lure only. It remains closed to all sport fishing on all other days in June. Expect slow to fair fishing. Early mornings or fishing the tide near the mouth will produce the best fishing. Try size 4 spinners in chartreuse or pink, jigs under a bobber in the same colors, streamer flies, or plugs. You may not remove king salmon or steelhead from the water before releasing them.
• The Ninilchik River opens to fishing for hatchery king salmon June 16. The fishing should be fair. The counts of both wild and hatchery fish improved over last week. For targeting newly arriving fish, try fishing the harbor area on the incoming tide. Cured salmon roe under a bobber is the most effective setup. With the low water conditions smaller (size 3 or 4) pink or chartreuse spinners could be effective, too. If you incidentally hook a steelhead or wild king salmon, get them to the bank as quickly as possible and release them without removing them from the water.

Saltwater Fishing

Kachemak Bay/Cook Inlet

Halibut

Halibut fishing was productive for large fish last week. The fishing remained fairly consistent in the Inlet and at locations like Flat Island. Fishing around slack tide is the best time for targeting halibut so you can hold the bottom with less weight. Herring on a circle hook is the most popular bait; however, octopus, salmon heads, and jigs also work well.

King Salmon

King salmon fishing just south of Bluff Point remained good through the weekend. Best success was setting the gear in the mid-water column. It remained spotty at other locations throughout Kachemak Bay. Small troll herring or spoons behind a flasher is the most popular setup, but hootchies and tube flies will also produce fish. To find king salmon at any location, try setting the gear at different depths including mid-water column and 10 feet off the bottom.

Surf Fishing

Surf fishing anglers were finding success on several of the Cook Inlet beaches last weekend, including the Deep Creek area. Popular locations for halibut include Kasilof, Clam Gulch, Ninilchik boat harbor, Deep Creek campground, and Whiskey Gulch. Anglers are catching a variety of groundfish including halibut, sculpins, skates, sharks, flounders, and cod. Regulations changed at the December 2023 Board of Fisheries meeting to allow surf fishing for groundfish in the conservation zones surrounding the Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik River. You still may not fish within 200 yards of the stream mouths – look out for posted orange regulatory signs. Don’t forget about fishing off the tip of the Homer Spit – that location can be productive for a variety of groundfish.

Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon

King salmon fishing improved later in the week at the fishing hole. Anglers were most successful closer to high tide in the southern lobe of the lagoon. A chunk of herring about 2 feet under a bobber has been working well this season. Casting spinners is another option worth trying.

Seldovia Slough

Anglers were finding success in the lagoon and at the bridge last week. Try cured eggs or herring under a slip bobber, or spinners. Incoming tide is the best time to get king salmon at the bridge. High tide is better in the lagoon.

Local Lakes

The Homer Reservoir (located on Skyline Drive) is a great place to take kids and catch a Dolly Varden. The fish are small, but can be voracious. Dollies are often found along the shore by the road, or the south shore. Try a variety of very small spinners and spoons. Nymphs and dry flies, such as mosquitoes, can work great when the wind is calm.

Emergency Orders

Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

• Emergency Order 2-KS-7-10-24: Anchor River and Deep Creek Closed to Sport Fishing
• Emergency Order 2-KS-7-07-24:Sport Fishing For King Salmon Closed in Upper Cook Inlet Salt Waters
• Emergency Order 2-KS-7-12-24:King Salmon Bag Limit Reduced from 2 to 1 in Lower Cook Inlet Salt Waters
• Emergency Order 2-KS-7-13-24:Changes to King Salmon Limits and Gear in the Ninilchik River
• Press Release:Cook Inlet Sport Fishing Regulation Changes

Don't forget to purchase your 2024 sport fishing license and king stamp! You can purchase and display your fishing license and king stamp, record your annual harvest (i.e. king salmon), access sport fishing regulations and locations, and so much more on your mobile device. Download the ADF&G Mobile App today. You can also purchase licenses through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home. Make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2024 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.

For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Homer office at (907) 235-8191.