Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 23, 2017

Week of August 23 to August 30

Regulation Reminders and Emergency Orders

Regulation Reminders

• The Anchor River, Ninilchik River, Deep Creek, and Stariski Creek are open for Dolly Varden, steelhead, and rainbow trout fishing upstream of the ADF&G regulatory markers, but remain closed to salmon fishing upstream of these markers. The lower portions of these streams are open to sport fishing, except for king salmon, and the use of bait and treble hooks are legal through August 31.
• The Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon Area is closed to snagging from the Homer City Dock near the entrance of the Homer Boat Harbor (including the Homer Boat Harbor) to the ADF&G markers about 200 yards northwest of the lagoon entrance to a distance of 300 feet from shore.
• Unguided anglers may retain two halibut per day, four in possession. Guided anglers should consult federal regulations.

Razor Clam Emergency Order

• All Eastside Cook Inlet beaches from the Kenai River to the tip of the Homer Spit are CLOSED to the taking of all clams through December 31, 2017.

Saltwaters Fishing Report

Halibut

• Halibut fishing in Cook Inlet has been challenging this past week due to rough seas. The average weight of halibut harvested is improving as larger fish move in from deeper waters.
• Anglers targeting halibut are having success using herring on circle hooks. Herring is the most popular bait, but octopus, squid, salmon heads, and jigs also work well.
• Try fishing around and during slack tide. This allows anglers to keep their bait on the bottom using less weight.
• Our port samplers have reported relatively few ‘mushy halibut’ this fishing season. The flesh of these fish is very soft or flabby, sometimes with pockets of jelly-like tissue, and is mushy after being cooked. If you catch a fish that feels flabby or does not look as robust and rounded as a healthy halibut should, release it immediately unharmed and consider moving to a different area to avoid these fish. Department research is ongoing.
• Anglers report catching spiny dogfish while targeting halibut. Anglers are advised to move to another location if spiny dogfish bycatches are high.

Salmon

• Trolling success for king salmon has been poor to fair in Kachemak Bay. King salmon were caught last week at the Homer Spit, Bluff Point, and Point Pogibshi to Flat Island. Anglers have reported that most of the feeder king salmon have been small.
• Coho salmon around the Chugach Islands has continued to be good for the anglers willing to travel the distance. Expect slower but still fair to good coho salmon fishing in the Flat Island and Point Pogibshi areas. Both trolling and mooching small herring have been the most effective way to target these fish.
• Downriggers are essential for trolling in deeper water. Try various depths between 15-90 feet. Small herring trolled behind a flasher or dodger is the most effective presentation. Small thin blade spoons and large spoons have been working as well. Try fishing in deeper water over 50 feet, to avoid pink salmon when targeting king or coho salmon.
• There are still decent numbers of coho salmon at Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon and along the east shore of the Homer Spit but things are starting to slow down.

Other Saltwater Fishing

• Fishing for lingcod has been slow since the season opened on July 1. Those anglers returning with lingcod are most successful near Chugach or Elizabeth Islands.
• Fishing off the end of the Homer Spit can be a fun way to pass the time. Species available include walleye pollock, Pacific cod, a variety of flatfish species, and an occasional salmon. Be certain to check regulations regarding bag and possession limits and know which species you are targeting before you harvest.
• The best locations for targeting black, dark and dusky rockfish in Kachemak Bay are along Bluff Point and near Point Pogibshi, with the best fishing being outside of Cook Inlet around the Chugach Islands.
• Anglers use a variety of gear including spoons, jigs, herring, and flies to catch rockfish. Rockfish are also commonly caught when trolling with downriggers for salmon.
  • Rockfish caught in deep water suffer injuries from decompression. Recent research by ADF&G indicates 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 ADF&G Rockfish Conservation and Deepwater Release webpage.

Freshwaters Fishing Report

Streams

• Expect tough fishing conditions this week due to the streams being high and muddy from recent rains. Fishing will improve when the streams start dropping and clearing.
• Coho salmon fishing will be poor to fair over the next week. Try fishing early in the morning or at the mouth of the stream during the incoming tide. Fishing salmon roe clusters and herring are the most effective method to target coho salmon.
• Steelhead trout should start entering these streams over the next couple weeks but in low numbers.
• Dolly Varden fishing in the upper portions of the lower Kenai Peninsula roadside streams will be good when the streams are fishable. Try fishing for Dolly Varden with small bright spinners, fresh salmon eggs or fly patterns such as muddler minnows or egg patterns.

Lake Fishing

• The Kenai Peninsula stocked lakes fishing conditions are good. Most of these lakes are stocked with rainbow trout which, at this time of year, are taken on dry or wet flies, small spoons, spinners, or bait. A brochure listing the locations of the stocked lakes is available on the ADF&G website and at ADF&G offices.

Shellfish

• The next series of clamming tides are August 19-25.
• A Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) advisory was issued last week for Kasitsna Bay in Kachemak Bay. As always, consuming sport harvested shellfish is at your own risk. Contact the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) at (907) 269-7501, or visit the DEC Shellfish webpage for more information regarding PSP
• Razor clams can be found on beaches along the WEST SIDE of Cook Inlet and are accessible by boat or plane. Popular razor clam beaches include Crescent River, Chinitna Bay, and Polly Creek. Boaters should use caution before traveling across the inlet because of strong currents and should check weather forecast before traveling.
• Littleneck (steamer) and butter clams can be found in gravel beaches on the south side of Kachemak Bay from Seldovia to Chugachik Island.
• Good numbers of butter clams are found on the islands in China Poot Bay. Butter clams can be found up to two feet deep. Littleneck clams can be found in a variety of habitats from Jakolof Bay to Bear Cove. Try exploring new beaches for success. Typically, littleneck clams are found shallower in the substrate, up to eight inches deep.
• There will be a Tanner crab fishery season opening October 1, 2017, and closing February 28, 2018.
• All shrimp and other crab fisheries in Kachemak Bay remain closed for 2017.