Area Sport Fishing Reports
North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 31, 2019

Week of July 31 - August 6

Saltwater Fishing

Salmon

  • People fishing for salmon in the bay are having to deal with large groups of jellyfish.
  • King salmon fishing has slowed, but a few fish are still being caught. Don’t forget, 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.
  • Coho salmon are beginning to show up but fishing is a little slow. Recent reports are of fish being picked up near Caines Head. Not much being reported in Resurrection Bay yet. If you are out fishing by boat, try trolling with a small to medium sized herring and an oversized flasher.
    • Don’t forget, the coho salmon bag limit outside of Resurrection Bay is 3 per day and 3 in possession and inside Resurrection Bay is 6 per day and 6 in possession. Anglers that have caught 6 cohos inside Resurrection Bay may not leave the bay.
  • Sockeye salmon fishing in Resurrection Bay is about a wrap. The bag limits were increased to 12 fish but anglers aren’t likely to get that many fish in their daily limit right now! Most people are using snagging gear to catch sockeye. Snagging is only allowed in saltwater. Please see the corresponding emergency order number below.

Halibut/Lingcod/Rockfish

  • Lingcod fishing opened on July 1 in the North Gulf Coast; however, lingcod fishing is always closed in Resurrection Bay.
    • These are aggressive fish but make sure you don’t use a gaff to puncture any fish you think you might release.
    • Remember bag limits for lingcod are only one per day and in possession. The minimum size to retain a lingcod is 35 inches with the head attached (or 28 inches with the head removed).
    • Anglers are likely to get into rockfish while targeting lingcod. If you haven’t utilized deepwater release methods to release rockfish you are not going to retain, this is a great time to become familiar with it! You can make your own release device with an old jig by filing off the barb and tying your line to the bend in the hook. For more info, check out our 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.
  • Halibut fishing continues to be good.
  • 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.
  • 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. Especially creeks where pinks and chum salmon will be spawning. Casting small spinners and spoons off the beach can provide some good action.
  • If you are fly fishing, smolt or egg 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. However, fishing has been really slow. Watch for the sign designating freshwater. Please see the corresponding emergency order number below.

Local Lakes

  • First Lake in Seward is a quiet spot in town if you are looking for some rainbow trout fishing. Fishing is better in the early morning or evening when it is cooler. By mid-day fish are seen but very tight lipped. Flies on the surface were still getting bites.
  • 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 saltwaters of Resurrection Bay and opens the freshwaters of the Resurrection River effective through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, 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.

Archives

Resurrection Bay Area Archives for:
Sep 17, 2019 Sep 13, 2019 Sep 05, 2019 Aug 29, 2019 Aug 22, 2019 Aug 14, 2019 Aug 07, 2019 Jul 31, 2019
Jul 25, 2019 Jul 19, 2019 Jul 11, 2019 Jul 03, 2019 Jun 27, 2019 Jun 20, 2019 Jun 13, 2019 Jun 06, 2019
May 31, 2019 May 24, 2019 May 16, 2019 May 09, 2019