Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 21, 2019

Week of May 21 - May 27

Freshwater Fishing

• The Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River all open to sport fishing at 12:01am on May 25 through May 27. Expect slow fishing over the weekend if water levels are high and muddy as they are right now. Ninilchik River will likely have the best conditions for fishing success. Spinners, spoons, flies and jigs are likely to be the most effective gear. Remember Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River have fishing restrictions in effect right now! Please see the corresponding emergency order number below.

Saltwater Fishing

Halibut

• Halibut fishing continues to improve with the most consistent fishing in offshore locations 20-30 miles west of the Homer Harbor.
• When exploring new locations for halibut, try drifting to locate concentrations of fish before anchoring.
• Herring on a circle hook is the most popular bait; however, octopus, salmon heads, and jigs also work well.

King Salmon

• Anglers have been successful finding king salmon in the nearshore waters of the Whiskey Gulch and Happy Valley areas. Trolling with downriggers is most effective in this area but using banana weights or divers will work too.
• King salmon fishing has also been fair to good south of Bluff Point. Both feeder and mature king salmon are typically caught this time of year in the Bluff Point area in 45-90 feet of water.
• Troll sized herring and a variety of spoons behind a flasher is the standard setup. Try using no flasher for a different presentation.
• King salmon are starting to arrive at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon based on local angler reports. Expect slow fishing over the week but look for newly arriving fish as the tide starts flooding into the lagoon.

Emergency Orders

• Emergency Order 2-RCL-7-01-19 and 2-RCL-7-02-19 CLOSED all EASTSIDE Cook Inlet beaches to clamming for all species from the mouth of the Kenai River to the southernmost tip of the Homer Spit for 2019.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-7-11-19 limited the fishing season on the Anchor River to fishing being allowed May 25-27, June 1-3, and June 8-10, 2019.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-7-12-19 restricted fishing gear to only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure in the Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River through July 15, 2019.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-7-13-19 reduced the king salmon bag and possession limits in the Ninilchik River to one hatchery king salmon 20 inches or greater in length.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-7-14-19 combined the annual limit for king salmon to two king salmon 20 inches or greater in length from the Anchor River, Deep Creek, Ninilchik, and all marine waters south of the latitude of the mouth of the Ninilchik River to the latitude of Bluff Point.

For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Homer office at (907) 235-8191.