Area Sport Fishing Reports
North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 30, 2017

Week of June 29 to July 5

General Area Description: Salt waters within 200 miles of shore from the longitude of Gore Point to the longitude of Cape Fairfield. All fresh waters between Gore Point and Cape Fairfield.

Regulation Reminders and Emergency Orders

• Emergency Order No. 2-RS-8-23-17 goes into effect Saturday, July 1, 2017, and increases the sockeye bag and possession limit to twelve fish in marine waters at the head of Resurrection Bay. The sockeye bag and possession limit south of line from Caines head to Thumb Cove remains the same as in the regulation summary.
• The Resurrection River (fresh water area), downstream of the Seward Highway and Nash Road opened to salmon (except king salmon) fishing on Friday, June 16. Only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures are allowed; snagging is not permitted in this freshwater portion of Resurrection River.
• The personal use season for shrimp fishing with pot gear in North Gulf Coast area waters opened on April 15. North Gulf Coast shrimp permit is required to participate in this fishery.
• Lingcod fishing opens on Saturday, July 1. Make sure to review the sport fishing regulation for length restriction on lingcod prior to going out.

Saltwaters

Halibut

• Halibut are federally managed by NOAA. Make sure you know the regulations! Unguided and guided anglers have different rules to follow.
• Halibut fishing in the North Gulf Coast has been good with some 200 lb fish being caught. The tournament ends on Friday, June 30.

Salmon

• King Salmon are still being caught in the bay. Shore and boat anglers are having good luck! Try trolling with a medium sized herring and oversized flasher from boats. Large vibraxes or herring under a bobber have been productive for those fishing from the beaches in Seward.
• Sockeye salmon continue to be caught at the mouth of the Resurrection River in the salt water section. Fishermen are reporting catching fish in larger numbers especially if they put in extra time around the tide. Fish numbers continue to increase at the Bear Creek weir.
• Coho salmon are being caught just outside of Resurrection Bay but a few have also been caught in the bay.

Other Saltwater Fishing

• Lingcod fishing opens on July 1.
• Rockfish are easy to catch and have a fairly conservative bag limit, so target your rockfish last.
  • Use deepwater release methods to release incidentally caught rockfish.

Never heard of deepwater release for rockfish??? For details, see the ADF&G Rockfish Conservation and Deepwater Release webpage.

Fishing Tip: Brush up on your rockfish identification before you head out fishing by reviewing page 90 of the 2017 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulation Summary booklet.

Shellfish

• There have been no reports from the personal-use shrimp pot fishery. This fishery is now open in the entire North Gulf Coast area from Cape Fairfield to Gore Point. To participate in the fishery you must be an Alaska resident with a current sport fishing license or ADF&G Permanent ID card, and a North Gulf Coast shrimp pot fishery permit. Permits can be obtained at the Anchorage, Homer, or Soldotna ADF&G offices.
• Review page 83 of the 2017 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for regulations on this fishery, and page 82 for shrimp pot requirements.

Freshwaters

Salmon

• The Resurrection River, downstream of the Seward Highway and Nash Road opened to salmon (except king salmon) fishing on June 16. This is considered the “fresh water section”. Limits are three per day, three in possession, of which only two may be coho salmon. It’s too early for coho salmon in the river right now but sockeye salmon have been making it up to the Bear Creek weir.
• Snagging is NOT allowed in the fresh water portion of Resurrection River.

 Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic Grayling

• Fish for Dolly Varden around creek mouths, especially creeks where pink and chum salmon usually spawn.
• Try casting small spinners and spoons off the beach for some sea run Dolly Varden action.
• Fry and smolt patterns have been known to produce catches of Dolly Varden in Seward area streams. They work especially well right now with the outmigration of salmon!

Northern Pike

• Northern pike are not native to Southcentral Alaska. Please report the capture of any pike in unconfirmed waters to ADF&G. Do not release any pike you have caught.

Lake Fishing

• Anglers can visit the ADF&G Hatcheries and Stocking webpage for more information regarding when and where fish are stocked.
• First Lake was recently stocked with rainbow trout. Fishing should be great!