Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 13, 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 through Wednesday, July 15, 2020, and removed the annual limit for hatchery king salmon 20 inches or greater through Saturday, October 31, 2020.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-7-16-20 closed king salmon fishing within one mile of shore north of Bluff Point 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 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

Dolly Varden

• The lower sections of the Anchor River and Deep Creek open on July 16. As of July 12, approximately 1,275 Dollies have been counted on the Anchor, 757 on Deep Creek, and 297 on Ninilchik. Using a bead pegged above a hook, fished under a small bobber on fly gear is the most popular approach, but small spinners and spoons on a spinning rod can work fantastic as well. Look for Dollies holding in riffles and at the tailout of pools. More Dollies will enter the streams as July progresses and there may be good pushes of them after high tides.

King Salmon

• The Ninilchik River is still open for hatchery king salmon only, but the run is winding down. Try fishing early morning hours, or targeting the small hatchery kings with small, single-hook spinners.

Sockeye Salmon

• China Poot Personal Use dipnetting slowed during the second week, but some dippers were still doing well. Snagging in saltwater near the creek can be good before the tide floods and makes it harder to see the holding sockeye.

Saltwater Fishing

Halibut

• Halibut fishing has been fair at inshore locations and good in offshore locations at the mouth of Kachemak Bay.

Salmon

• Coho salmon are starting to return to the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon on the Homer Spit. The run should continue to build as July continues. Try fishing for coho at the NDFL similar to how you would for king salmon. Set salmon roe or herring about 18 inches under a bobber, but adjust as needed for the depth of the fish. Spinners or green spoons can also work.
• Trolling for coho with small spoons on either side of the Homer Spit can be productive as the coho return builds in the NDFL and other Kachemak Bay locations.
• King salmon trolling has fair to good around Kachemak Bay, including out by Point Pogibshi. Pink salmon are starting to show up in the catch in the outer bay locations. To target king salmon and avoid pink salmon, try fishing deeper depths.
• Most anglers use downriggers and fish with troll sized herring or spoons behind flashers.
• Sockeye salmon have been showing up near Tutka Bay Lagoon and China Poot Bay and anglers have been snagging some of these fish.

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.