Area Sport Fishing Reports
North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 07, 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

  • Dipnetting for 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 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.
  • Fishing for sockeye in the freshwaters has slowed but fish continue to get picked up by patient anglers.

Saltwater Fishing

Hooligan

  • Dipnetting for hooligan is closed for the season.

Halibut/Lingcod/Rockfish

  • Halibut fishing has been reported as fair to good. Larger halibut continue to get picked up by those traveling out further but those with patience are picking up halibut just outside Res Bay.
  • 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 opened on July 1 and has been reported as fair to good. 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 still having to put in their time. Shore anglers continue to catch kings. Anglers trolling and jigging are also reporting success catching kings.
  • More coho salmon are starting to trickle into the bay but more are getting caught further out in the bay. Reports have been of anglers catching coho salmon as close as Pony Cove.
  • Sockeye salmon are still arriving to the head of the bay, but fishing has slowed. Fishing has been reported as good if you put in the time and the fish are there. Anglers should continue to anticipate the sockeye sport salmon fishing to rapidly slow and taper off. Cook Inlet Aquaculture has discontinued cost recovery in the saltwater, but commercial fishing could commence throughout the week. 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 is a fun spot to take the kids to catch rainbow trout.
  • Fishing in Troop Lake has been good. Try casting small spinners. There is limited shore access so hiking in an inflatable can get you more access around the lake.

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.

Archives

Resurrection Bay Area Archives for:
Sep 20, 2021 Sep 09, 2021 Sep 01, 2021 Aug 26, 2021 Aug 18, 2021 Aug 11, 2021 Aug 04, 2021 Jul 28, 2021
Jul 21, 2021 Jul 15, 2021 Jul 07, 2021 Jun 30, 2021 Jun 24, 2021 Jun 17, 2021 Jun 09, 2021 Jun 03, 2021
May 26, 2021 May 21, 2021 May 12, 2021