Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 18, 2021

* Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing, and wearing a face-covering when social distancing is not possible, and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store.

Freshwater Fishing

  • The Anchor River will open to sport fishing on Saturday, May 22, 2021, but expect slow fishing for king salmon. The run is off to a slow start but there may be a few fish moving through by the weekend. See emergency order 2-KS-7-09-21 regarding gear restrictions below.
  • The water conditions are high and muddy which will limit the effectiveness of the gear. Try size 5 spinners or small plugs to get a king salmon’s attention.

Saltwater Fishing

Halibut

  • Marine weather has been favorable for getting anglers out on the water over the last week.
  • Halibut fishing has been slowly improving over the last couple of weeks and will continue to improve throughout May as more fish move from overwintering waters back to summer feeding areas in the Cook Inlet and Kachemak Bay areas.
  • The tides are more moderate this week which should provide more effective fishing time while anchored.
  • Anglers also tend to be successful anchoring in shallower water between Bluff Point and the Anchor Point light this time of year. Catch rates tend to be slower for this approach but produce above-average size fish.
  • Herring on a circle hook is the most popular bait; however, octopus, salmon heads, and jigs also work well.

King Salmon

  • Trolling for king salmon fishing has been poor in Kachemak Bay and in the nearshore waters of Cook Inlet. The Anchor Point and Deep Creek tractor launches are now operational. Fish can be scattered everywhere throughout Kachemak Bay.
  • Most anglers use downriggers and fish with troll-sized herring or spoons behind flashers.
  • It is probably still too early for seeing king salmon in the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon on the Homer Spit.

Other Saltwater Fishing

  • 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.

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-7-10-21 reduced the king salmon bag and possession limits in the Ninilchik River to one hatchery king salmon 20 inches or greater in length through 11:59 p.m. Monday, June 14, 2021.
  • Emergency Order 2-KS-7-09-21 restricted fishing gear to only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure in the Anchor River and Deep Creek drainages through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, 2021.
  • Emergency Order 2-KS-7-08-21 reduced the king salmon annual limit north of Bluff Point from five to two fish through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, July 15, 2021.
  • Emergency Order 2-RCL-7-04-21 and 2-RCL-7-05-21 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 2021.

Don't forget to purchase your 2021 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2021 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 2021 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing for 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:
Aug 30, 2021 Aug 24, 2021 Aug 17, 2021 Aug 10, 2021 Aug 03, 2021 Jul 27, 2021 Jul 20, 2021 Jul 13, 2021
Jul 07, 2021 Jun 29, 2021 Jun 21, 2021 Jun 15, 2021 Jun 08, 2021 Jun 02, 2021 May 25, 2021 May 18, 2021