Area Sport Fishing Reports
North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 30, 2021

* Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing, and wearing a face-covering when social distancing is not possible, and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store.

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.

Freshwater Fishing

Hooligan

• Hooligan is closed for the season.

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

• The last day of the Youth-Only fishery for Chinook salmon at the Seward Lagoon and Outfall stream is June 30.
• The Resurrection River, downstream of the Seward Highway and Nash Road to the ADF&G markers opened to salmon fishing (except king salmon) on Tuesday, June 16. Only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures or flies are allowed. Snagging is NOT permitted in freshwater. Per emergency, order 2-RS-8-22-21 the bag limit per day is 12 sockeye and the possession limit is also only 12 sockeye. See below. See additional details about Cook Inlet Cost Recovery a commercial fishery opening under the saltwater section.

Saltwater Fishing

Hooligan

• Hooligan is closed for the season.

Halibut/Lingcod/Rockfish

• Halibut fishing has been reported as fair to good. To find those larger halibut anglers are reporting traveling further out. Many anglers are headed all the way to Prince William Sound when the weather allows.
• Rockfish limits year-round are four fish per day, eight in possession of which only one per day and two in possession can be nonpelagic rockfish. Check the 2021 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for species identification information.
  • The deepwater release mechanism is required on all sportfishing vessels in Alaska, and they must be used to release rockfish back down to a depth of capture or 100 feet, whichever is shallower. Ever heard of the deepwater release? Check out our webpage for more info!
• Lingcod season will open on July 1. The bag and possession limit is one fish that is 35 inches long or longer with the head attached, or 28 inches or greater with the head removed. A person may not gaff a fish that is not of the legal size or that is to be released.

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 stamp is required. King salmon fishing has picked up in the bay but anglers are having to put in their time. Shore anglers continue to catch kings. Anglers trolling and jigging are also reporting success catching kings. Also, a few coho salmon are starting to trickle into the bay.
• Sockeye salmon are still arriving at the head of the bay over the weekend. Fishing has been reported as good to fair. Anticipate the sockeye sport salmon fishing to rapidly wane from this point on in the season. Cook Inlet Aquaculture has discontinued cost recovery in the saltwater, but commercial fishing commences throughout the week. Commercial openers are scheduled 5 days a week, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. per day. If you do find some sockeye the bag limit is still liberalized to a bag and possession limit of 12 sockeye. See the emergency order below for more info.

Local Lakes

• First Lake was recently stocked with rainbow trout.
• Troop Lake will be stocked this week. Fishing in Troop Lake has been good. Try casting small spinners.

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-RS-8-22-21 liberalizes the bag and possession limit of sockeye salmon at the head of Resurrection Bay to 12. Snagging is not allowed in freshwater. This emergency order is effective through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, July 31, 2021.

Don't forget to purchase your 2021 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2021 sport fishing license and king stamp through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home. Also, make sure to review Emergency Orders and the 2021 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.

For additional information, please contact the Anchorage Area Office at (907) 267-2218.