Area Sport Fishing Reports
North Gulf Coast \ Resurrection Bay

June 20, 2019

Week of June 20 - June 26

Saltwater Fishing

Salmon

• The king salmon limit in Resurrection Bay is currently two per day, any size. There is no annual or seasonal king salmon limit in effect, and there is no king salmon harvest reporting requirement, but a king salmon stamp is required.
• King salmon fishing keeps getting better! Shore fisherman fishing earlier in the day are having better luck but don’t hesitate to give it a try throughout the day. Fish are continuing to move in.
• If you are out fishing by boat try trolling with a small to medium sized herring and an oversized flasher.
• Sockeye salmon fishing in Resurrection Bay is great and bag limits have been increased to 12 fish. Most people are using snagging gear to catch limits. Snagging is only allowed in saltwater. Please see the corresponding emergency order number below. Sockeye fishing has been slowing down and anglers are reporting having better luck around the saltwaters of Spring Creek then out on the flats of resurrection.

Halibut/Lingcod/Rockfish

• Lingcod fishing will open on July 1 in the North Gulf Coast; however, lingcod fishing is always closed in Resurrection Bay.
• Halibut fishing continues to be good, especially when the weather is good! Anglers have been able to travel further over the last week getting into some bigger fish.
• The Seward Halibut Tournament has started and runs through June 30. The first-place fish is just over 250 lbs! Large halibut are being caught daily. May want to get your derby ticket before you head out.
• Halibut are federally managed by NOAA. Please check Federal Regulations under NOAA’s Fisheries Sport Halibut Fishing in Alaska webpage.
• Rockfish limits year-round are 4 fish per day, 8 in possession of which only 1 per day and 2 in possession can be a nonpelagic rockfish. Stop by the ADF&G office in Anchorage for a handy rockfish ID sheet!
• Effective January 2020, the use of a deepwater release mechanism will be required to be onboard all vessels sportfishing statewide and they must be used to release rockfish at depth of capture or 100 feet, whichever is shallower.
  • Never heard of deepwater release?? Check out our webpage for more info!

Other Saltwater Fishing

• Hooligan dipnetting is closed.

Freshwater Fishing

Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden

• Try creek mouths for Dolly Varden this time of the year. Casting small spinners and spoons off the beach can provide some good action.
• If you are fly fishing, fry and smolt patterns are good to use in Seward area streams this time of the year.

Salmon

• A portion of the Resurrection River freshwaters are open to sockeye salmon and the bag and possession limit has been increased. Watch for the sign designating freshwater. Please see the corresponding emergency order number below.

Lakes

• First Lake in Seward is a quiet change right in town if you are looking for some rainbow trout fishing.
• Troop Lake is a nice hike and fly fishing option off the beaten path.

Emergency Orders

Please review the Emergency Orders and News Releases below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

• Emergency Order 2-RS-8-20-19 INCREASED the bag limit of sockeye salmon to twelve per day and twelve in possession in the Resurrection River and the northern salt waters of Resurrection Bay and opens the freshwaters of the Resurrection River effective June 14 - July 31, 2019.
  • Anglers are reminded that snagging is not allowed in freshwater. Only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures or flies are allowed in the freshwater area open to salmon fishing.

For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Anchorage Sport Fish Info Desk at (907) 267-2218.