Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 04, 2015

Homer Area

Week of June 01 to June 08
Issued June 03, 2015

Regulation Reminders and Emergency Orders

King Salmon Emergency Orders

In an effort to meet king salmon escapement goals in the Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River drainages, the following sport fishing restrictions are in effect from Wednesday, April 1 through Wednesday, July 15, 2015:
Anchor River is closed to sport fishing except on Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25) and the following two weekends (May 30- June 1 and June 6-8).
Anchor river drainage above Old Sterling Bridge is closed during the May and June weekend openings.
Anglers may only use one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure on the Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River during the 3 weekend openings in May & June.
From April 1-July 15, the combined annual limit is two (2) king salmon 20 inches or greater in length in the Anchor River, Deep Creek, Ninilchik River and all marine waters south of the latitude of the mouth of the Ninilchik River to the latitude of Bluff Point.
From July 1-15, the conservation zone surrounding the Anchor River mouth will remain closed to sport fishing and the regulations associated with the Special Harvest Areas 2miles north of the Anchor River to Bluff Point will remain in effect.

Razor Clam Emergency Order

All Eastside Cook Inlet beaches from the Kenai River to the tip of the Homer Spit are closed to all clams through December 31, 2015.

Additional Regulation Reminders

Lingcod may not be harvested until July 1.
Rockfish caught in deep water suffer injuries from decompression. Recent research by Department staff indicates that survival of released rockfish can be substantially improved by releasing fish at the depth of capture. For more information on the use of deep water release mechanisms, see the department’s Web page at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSportFishingInfo.rockfishconservation .
All anglers sport fishing for king salmon (except stocked landlocked lakes) must either have a king salmon stamp or harvest card. Refer to page 5 of the regulation summary for requirements.

Youth Fishery on June 6

The first Youth Fishery at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon is Saturday, June 6. A portion of the lagoon will be open to youth 15 years of age or younger from 12:01 a.m. until midnight. Department staff will be present from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to help young anglers fish and tie egg loops and fishing knots, and learn the best way for releasing fish.

Saltwaters Fishing Report

Halibut

Early-season halibut fishing is fair though most fish are small. The fishery will improve as more fish move from deep, overwintering waters back to the shallower summer feeding areas. Some larger fish are being harvested in the sport fishery.
Unguided anglers can retain 2 halibut a day, 4 in possession.
Regulation changes are in effect for guided anglers fishing for halibut. The bag limit for guided anglers is two fish per day, one of any size and one less than or equal to 29 inches in length, and guided anglers have an annual limit of five halibut. A more extensive description of these Federal regulations can be found at: http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/frules/79fr13906.pdf  
You can also contact NOAA fisheries at 1-800-304-4846 or 907-586-7228 with questions about regulations pertaining to sport fishing for halibut.

Salmon

As a part of the Chinook Salmon Research Initiative, the Department is looking at the genetic stock composition of the marine king salmon fishery. There are port samplers stationed at the Homer Harbor, and Deep Creek and Anchor Point tractor launches conducting quick interviews and collecting biological information, scales, and genetic clips from sport caught king salmon. If you fished for king salmon in Cook Inlet, regardless of success, we’d like to talk to you! More information on the Chinook Salmon Research Initiative can be found at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=chinookinitiative.main .
Trolling success for king salmon is reported as slowing down some in Kachemak Bay and from Bluff Point north, but expected to improve with the bigger tides.
Popular trolling set-ups for king salmon include herring, tube flies, and spoons. Try using dodgers or flashers for extra attraction.
King salmon are continuing to enter the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon and fishing success is good. For better success, fish as the tide is flowing into and out of the lagoon.
King salmon are arriving at the Seldovia Lagoon. Fishing is reported as improving and the best time to fish is during the incoming tide.

Other Saltwater Fishing

Youth Fishery on June 6

The first Youth Fishery at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon is Saturday, June 6. A portion of the lagoon will be open to youth 15 years of age or younger from 12:01 a.m. until midnight. Department staff will be present from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to help young anglers fish and tie egg loops and fishing knots, and learn the best way for releasing fish.