Area Sport Fishing Reports
North Gulf Coast \ Resurrection Bay

September 17, 2019

Fall Fishing Report

Saltwater Fishing

Salmon

• King salmon fishing has slowed.
  • Don’t forget, the king salmon limit in Resurrection Bay is currently one per day and one in possession (September 1 - April 30) 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. Starting May 1 - August 31, the bag limit goes up to two per day and two in possession.
• Coho salmon continue to be caught and fishing has been fair to good. Shore anglers near the outfall of the Seward Lagoon are finding a few more fish. If you are out fishing by boat, try a mix of mooching and trolling with different set ups. The jellyfish have made things challenging this season.
  • Don’t forget, the coho salmon bag limit outside of Resurrection Bay is three per day and three in possession and inside Resurrection Bay is six per day and six in possession. Anglers that have caught six cohos inside Resurrection Bay may not leave the bay.

Halibut/Lingcod/Rockfish

• Halibut are federally managed by NOAA. Make sure you know the regulations.
• Lingcod fishing opened on July 1 and closes on December 31. Fishing for lingcod has been good this year.
  • Remember, Resurrection Bay is closed to fishing for lingcod.
  • Bag limits for lingcod are only one per day and in possession. Remember, the minimum size to retain a lingcod is 35 inches with the head attached (or 28 inches with the head removed). Don’t use a gaff to puncture any fish you think you might release.
• Rockfish limits year-round are four fish per day and eight in possession of which only one per day and two in possession can be a nonpelagic rockfish.
  • Effective January 2020, the use of a deepwater release mechanism will be required to be onboard all vessels fishing statewide and they must be used to release rockfish at depth of capture or 100 feet, whichever is shallower.
  • Check out the ADF&G Rockfish Conservation webpage.
  • Having trouble identifying the species of rockfish you caught? Check out our rockfish ID sheet for the more commonly captured rockfish. You can also check out NOAA’s in-depth rockfish identification page.

Other Saltwater Fishing

• Hooligan dipnetting is closed. It will reopen in the spring on April 1, 2020.
• The personal use season for shrimp fishing with pot gear in the North Gulf Coast area waters is open from April 15 through September 15. A permit is required to participate in this fishery and is different than the Prince William Sound Shrimp Permit. Do not forget to report your harvest.

Freshwater Fishing

Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden

• Dolly Varden move into the creeks this time of the year. Especially creeks where pinks and chum salmon will be spawning. Casting small spinners or spoons can provide some good action.
• If you are fly fishing, egg patterns are good to use in Seward area streams during the fall.

Salmon

• A portion of the Resurrection River freshwaters are open to coho salmon fishing. Fishing has been good but watch for the sign designating freshwater.

Local Lakes

• Troop Lake is a nice hike and fly-fishing option off the beaten path. Anglers have been reporting good success in this lake with both flies and spinners.
• First Lake is a fun one right in Seward. It will be stocked again in May 2020.

Emergency Orders

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

• There are currently no Emergency Orders for the North Gulf Coast Management Area.

This is the last fishing report for the 2019 fishing season. This fishing report will be updated when additional information is available. For current seasonal information, please contact the ADF&G Anchorage Sport Fish Information Center at (907) 267-2218.