Area Sport Fishing Reports
North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 28, 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.

Salmon

• The Resurrection River, downstream of the Seward Highway and Nash Road to the ADF&G markers is open to salmon fishing (except king salmon. Only unbaited, single hook, artificial lures or flies are allowed. Snagging is NOT permitted in freshwater. Per an emergency order the bag and possession limits are 12 sockeye salmon. This emergency order expires July 31. See below for more info.
• Fishing for sockeye salmon in the freshwaters is pretty much wrapped up. A few fish continue to get picked up, but it is very slow. Coho salmon should be showing up in the freshwater any day now.

Saltwater Fishing

Hooligan

• Dipnetting for hooligan is closed for the season.

Halibut/Lingcod/Rockfish

• Halibut fishing has been reported good. Anglers were able to get out last week and were catching medium sized halibut.
• Rockfish limits year-round are four fish per day, eight in possession of which only one per day and two in possession can be a nonpelagic rockfish. Check the 2021 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for species identification information.
  • Deep water release mechanism is required on all sport fishing vessels in Alaska, and they must be used to release rockfish back down to depth of capture or 100 feet, whichever is shallower. Never heard of deepwater release? Check out our rockfish webpage for more info!
• Lingcod season opened on July 1 and has been reported as fair. The bag and possession limit is one fish that is 35 inches long or longer with head attached, or 28 inches or greater with head removed. A person may not gaff a fish which is not of 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 been good for boaters but slow for shore anglers. Boat anglers trolling for kings are still having the best luck though mooching has been productive for some as well.
• Coho salmon are starting to come into the bay along with an increase in bait in the bay. Reports of anglers catching coho salmon as close as Lowell Point and a few at the head of the bay have come in. Try trolling with a small to medium sized herring and an oversized flasher.
• Sockeye salmon fishing has slowed way down at the head of the bay, but a few fish are still getting picked up. If you do find some sockeye the bag and possession limits are still liberalized to 12 sockeye salmon. This emergency order expires July 31. See below for more info.

Local Lakes

• 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.