Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 17, 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

  • All sections of the Anchor River, Deep Creek, Stariski Creek, and the Ninilchik River are open to sport fishing. All streams are closed to all king salmon fishing. You may not fish for salmon above the 2-mile marker in the streams. Gear is limited to single-hook no bait above the 2-mile markers.
  • Coho salmon counts are steady through the Anchor River weirs and posted on the Fish Counts website. Try fishing the break of day or the incoming tide near the stream mouths. Dead drifting salmon roe clusters under a bobber is the most effective presentation but spinners and flies work as well.
  • Small numbers of Dolly Varden and pink salmon are passing through the lower sections daily. Anglers have been having limited success finding Dollies in the upper section of the Anchor River this year.
  • When targeting Dolly Varden with spinning gear, try small spinners and spoons. Beads or smolt patterns are most effective on fly fishing gear.

Saltwater Fishing

Halibut

  • The marine weather has been unfavorable over the last week for most to reach the more productive halibut grounds. Expect fair fishing over the next week. Fishing around slack tide will give you the most time fishing and allow you to set the anchor.
  • 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 has continued to be slow, but anglers are still finding fish scattered throughout Kachemak Bay including Bluff Point, Glacier Spit, and Point Pogibshi.
  • Pink salmon are still prevalent throughout Kachemak Bay, which makes it harder to target king salmon. There are large numbers of them from Seldovia to Flat Island. To target king salmon around pink salmon, try setting the gear at deep depths to get below the pink salmon.
  • Most anglers use downriggers and fish with troll-sized herring or spoons behind flashers.

Coho Salmon

  • Try trolling for coho salmon around the Homer Spit or Point Pogibshi. Small thin blade spoons or troll size herring are the most effective.
  • Coho salmon fishing is winding down at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon. Try fishing daybreak, the incoming tide, or outside of the lagoon on the outgoing tide.
  • Plug cut herring or small cluster of salmon eggs under a bobber are effective but may stop working as well as spinners as soon as there isn’t any current from the tide. Try a spinner or a Pixie spoon to present something different than other anglers around you.

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-7-18-21 increases the hatchery king salmon bag and possession limits in the Ninilchik River from one fish to two fish 20” or greater in length and removes the annual limit effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, June 12 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, October 31, 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 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