Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI
Archived Sport Fishing Report
July 21, 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-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
- Dolly fishing on the Anchor River was fair when the streams opened on the 16th but has slowed since. Some of the Dollies have been large though, with a few measuring at greater than 20 inches. Try different tackle including small spinners, beads pegged under a bobber, small spoons, and smolt patterned flies.
Sockeye Salmon
- China Poot Personal Use dipnetting has been very spotty. The fish seem to be pushing into the creek every few tides.
Saltwater Fishing
Halibut
- Halibut fishing has been fair at inshore locations and good in offshore locations at the mouth of Kachemak Bay. Try using herring with a circle hook. The larger tides this week will require weight to get the hook to the bottom.
Salmon
- Trolling for coho salmon has been good on the outer coast, around the corner from Point Pogibshi.
- Coho salmon have been slow to return to the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon. To fish for coho salmon at the NDFL, set salmon roe or herring about 18 inches under a bobber, but adjust as needed for the depth of the fish. Spinners and green spoons 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 been spotty but good at times in locations all around Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet, including Glacier Spit, Bluff Point, and around the corner from Point Pogibshi. Pink salmon are definitely in the mix for 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. Pink salmon are in the mix in Tutka.
Shellfish
- Clamming tides are through July 24.
- 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.