Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 22, 2020

* Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing the current State of Alaska Health Mandates in effect. This includes practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing and wearing a face covering when fishing and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.

* The Alaska Board of Fisheries adopted several proposals establishing new sport fish regulations for the Lower Cook Inlet Management Area at its Seward December 2019 and Anchorage February 2020 meetings. Please see the 2020 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulation Summary booklet for a complete summary of the Lower Cook Inlet sport fisheries regulations.

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-KS-7-21-20 restricted gear in the Ninilchik River to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure from Tuesday, June 16 through Wednesday, July 15, 2020 and removed the annual limit for hatchery king salmon 20 inches or greater from Tuesday, June 16 through Saturday, October 31, 2020.
  • Emergency Order 2-KS-7-16-20 closed king salmon fishing within 1 mile of shore north of Bluff Point from Wednesday, June 3 through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2020.
  • Emergency Order 2-KS-7-15-20 closed the Anchor River and Deep Creek drainages to all sport fishing from Wednesday, June 3 through 11:59 p.m. July 15, 2020.
  • Emergency Order 2-KS-7-05-20 reduced the king salmon annual limit north of Bluff Point from five to two fish through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2020.
  • Emergency Order 2-RCL-7-03-20 and 2-RCL-7-04-20 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 in 2020.

Freshwater Fishing

King Salmon

  • The Ninilchik River is open for hatchery king salmon only. It has continued to fish well. Keep an eye on the fish counts online and try fishing after high tides when fish push in from the salt. There is no annual limit on hatchery king salmon greater than 20” harvested from the Ninilchik. Try single-hook spinners, plugs, or jigs.
  • Try fishing the Homer Reservoir for Dolly Varden. Small spinners from shore work well there.

Saltwater Fishing

Halibut

  • Halibut fishing has been consistent and good at the mouth of Kachemak Bay, near the line from Point Pogi to Anchor Point. Quite a few larger fish over 100 lbs. have been picked up in the past week.
  • If the day breeze is already kicking up, spots near Hesketh and Yukon islands or Tutka Bay can be productive as well.

King Salmon

  • There are plenty of fish in the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon and anglers are still having fair fishing success. Try fishing the incoming tide for fresh kings.
  • King salmon trolling has continued to be good around Kachemak Bay, particularly south of Bluff Point. King salmon have also been picked up on the south side of Kachemak Bay.
  • Most anglers use downriggers and fish with troll sized herring or spoons behind flashers.

Other Saltwater Fishing

  • It might be a bit early, but sockeye salmon may be showing up near Tutka Bay Lagoon and China Poot Creek. Anglers often snag these fish from saltwater in these locations.
  • If you are limited by access to a boat or by the weather, fishing off the end of the Homer Spit can be a great way to wet a line. Species available include walleye pollock, Pacific cod, Dolly Varden, a variety of flatfish species, and the occasional king salmon.

Shellfish

  • Clamming tides are through June 26. Remember all Eastside Cook Inlet beaches are closed to all clamming per Emergency Orders 2-RCL-7-03-20 and 2-RCL-7-04-20.
  • Razor clams can be found on beaches along the Westside of Cook Inlet and can be accessed by boat or plane. Popular razor clam beaches include the Polly Creek beach, Crescent River Bar, and Chinitna Bay. Boaters are advised to use caution before traveling across the Cook Inlet because of strong tidal currents and variable weather conditions.
  • Littleneck clams can be found in a variety of habitats in Kachemak Bay 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.

Don’t forget to bring your 2020 sport fishing license and king salmon stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2020 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 2020 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.

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

Archives

Lower Cook Inlet Area Archives for:
Sep 22, 2020 Aug 31, 2020 Aug 25, 2020 Aug 18, 2020 Aug 11, 2020 Aug 04, 2020 Jul 28, 2020 Jul 21, 2020
Jul 13, 2020 Jul 06, 2020 Jun 29, 2020 Jun 22, 2020 Jun 15, 2020 Jun 08, 2020 Jun 02, 2020 May 26, 2020
May 19, 2020 May 11, 2020