Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI
Archived Sport Fishing Report
June 25, 2019
Week of June 25 - July 1
Freshwater Fishing
- The Ninilchik River is still open to sport fishing for hatchery king salmon. Both hatchery and wild fish are present in good numbers; however, fishing gear and bag and possession limits are in effect through July 15, 2019. Remember to check for the absence of the adipose fin before removing any fish from the water because the bag and possession limit is one hatchery king salmon 20 inches or greater in length from the Ninilchik River. Try fishing with a variety of gear such as spinners, spoons, and flies to get fish to bite. Deep Creek and Anchor River will open to all species, except king salmon on July 1st.
Saltwater Fishing
Salmon
- The king salmon run at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon should be slowing down over the next week. Try casting spinners just under the surface to entice a bite.
- King salmon trolling improved over the last week but was still slow. Most fish have been caught in the Bluff Point area. Trolling in 30-90ft of water is the most successful way to target king salmon in Kachemak Bay right now.
- Kachemak Bay opened to snagging on June 24; however, the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon Area is closed to snagging. Anglers will be targeting king salmon in Halibut Cove Lagoon and sockeye salmon in China Poot Bay and Tutka Lagoon.
Halibut
- Halibut fishing has been consistent in offshore locations in Cook Inlet and outer Kachemak Bay and some anglers are still catching decent fish in the shallow waters north of the Bluff Point area.
- Reports of spiny dogfish bycatch have increased. Dogfish are very long lived (up to 80 years), and do not reach maturity until about 30 years old. Remember to use care when releasing these long lived sharks.
- The smaller tidal exchanges this week should provide more fishing time using less weights when anchored.
- A chunk of herring on a circle hook is the standard approach but try using lead head jigs with grub tails tipped with bait.
Other Saltwater Fishing
- China Poot personal use dipnet fishery opens July 1 for Alaska residents. No permit is required but a resident sport fishing license is. Remember to remove both tips of the tail fin before you leave the waters open to personal use fishing.
- Lingcod season opens July 1. Most successful anglers target them on the outer North Gulf Coast along rock pinnacles. Try lead head jigs with white grub tails tip with a piece of bait.
Emergency Orders
Please review the Emergency Orders and News Releases below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.
- 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 and it is currently closed to king salmon fishing. The Anchor River will open to all species, except king salmon on July 1st.
- 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 through July 15, 2019
- 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 through July 15, 2019.
For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Homer office at (907) 235-8191.