Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 30, 2018

Regulation Reminders and Emergency Orders

King Salmon Emergency Order

• Per Emergency Order No. 2-KS-7-11-18, effective June 2, 2018, through July 15, 2018, sport fishing is closed on the Anchor and Ninilchik rivers and Deep Creek drainages.
• Per Emergency Order No. 2-KS-7-12-18, effective June 2, 2018, through July 15, 2018, king salmon fishing (including catch-and-release) in marine waters within 1-mile of shore from Bluff Point to the Ninilchik River is prohibited.

Razor Clam Emergency Order

• Per Emergency Order No. 2-RCL-7-01-18 and 2-RCL-07-02-18 all Eastside Cook Inlet beaches from the Kenai River to the tip of the Homer Spit are CLOSED to all clamming through December 31, 2018.

Regulation Reminders

• Anglers are reminded to review Emergency Orders and News Releases and the 2018 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the Homer Area before heading out on their next fishing trip. The Regulation Summary booklet is available on the ADF&G website, at ADF&G offices, and local vendors.
  • King salmon regulations for the Cook Inlet saltwaters are located on pages 72-74 and begin on page 66 for Kenai Peninsula freshwaters.
  • In waters north of Bluff Point pay close attention to the closed waters surrounding the stream mouths. These areas are closed to all fishing. 
  • Anglers are reminded a king salmon 20 inches or longer that is removed from the water must be retained and becomes part of the bag limit of the person who hooked the fish.
• Halibut are federally managed by NOAA. Make sure you know the regulations! Unguided and guided anglers have different rules to follow. A more extensive description of the Federal Regulations can be found on NOAA’s Fisheries Sport Halibut Fishing in Alaska webpage.

Youth-Only Fishery

• The first Youth-Only Fishery at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon is Saturday, June 2, 2018. A portion of the lagoon will be only open to anglers 15 years of age or younger from 12:01 a.m. until midnight. ADF&G staff will be present from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to help young anglers fish, tie egg loops and fishing knots, and learn the best way to release fish.

Saltwater Fishing

Halibut

• Both private and charter fishing efforts for halibut has been picking up this week, peaking over the Memorial Day weekend.
• Anglers are having success within a few miles of shore in Upper Cook Inlet on most days and well into the inlet when conditions are good. Halibut sizes range from 10 to 250 pounds, with an average size being 14 pounds.
• Herring on a circle hook is the most popular bait; however, octopus, salmon heads, and jigs also work well.
• Fish near slack tide so you don’t need as much weight to keep your line on the bottom.

King Salmon

• Trolling success for king salmon over Memorial Day weekend was poor to fair. Windy weather limited effort for the second half of the weekend.
• Trolling effort in Kachemak Bay has been low and success has been hit or miss.
• Trolling north of Bluff Point has produced some spawners, but success has been fair at best.
• Anglers typically focus efforts nearshore areas north of Bluff Point to the Anchor Point Light and near Whiskey Gulch at the end of May when both feeder king salmon and king salmon returning to spawn in Cook Inlet can be found in the area.
• To find king salmon, try fishing a variety of depths up to 100 feet near rocky points and kelp beds. Look for birds feeding on bait fish.
• Popular trolling set-ups for king salmon include herring, hootchies, tube flies, and spoons behind a flasher or dodger. Try various leader lengths for different gear action behind flashers.
• A downrigger setup is necessary to troll deeper water. Banana weights work well to troll gear near the surface.
• Still waiting for a bite? Try switching up flasher styles and colors, gear depths, and trolling speed. Consider the direction the tide is moving when trolling. On days with larger tidal exchanges, troll with the current for a more effective presentation.
• ADF&G is continuing to sample the genetic stock composition of the marine king salmon fishery. There are port samplers at the Homer Harbor, Deep Creek, and Anchor Point tractor launches. If you fished for king salmon in the Cook Inlet area, regardless of success, we’d like to talk to you and collect biological samples from your fish.
• King salmon have begun showing up in the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon, the Fishing Hole, in small numbers, but fishing has been poor. A variety of methods can work here, including spinners, and herring or eggs suspended beneath a bobber. Try fishing when the incoming tide begins to flood the lagoon for a chance at fresh king salmon.

Rockfish

• Rockfish are found near rocky points and in kelp beds. The most popular places to target pelagic rockfish in Kachemak Bay are near Bluff Point and Point Pogibshi.
• Try fishing for them while trolling by using spoons, tube flies, or herring. Jigs also work well.
• Use deepwater release methods to release incidentally caught rockfish! Never heard of deepwater release for rockfish? For details, review the ADF&G Rockfish Conservation and Deepwater Release webpage.

Shellfish

• Clamming tides are May 29 – June 1, 2018.
• 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 (steamer) clams can be found in gravel beaches on the south side of Kachemak Bay from Seldovia to Chugachik Island.
• Butter clams are found on the islands in China Poot Bay. Butter clams can be found up to two feet deep.
• Littleneck clams can be found in a variety of habitats 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.
• Occasionally there are PSP advisories issued by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Contact the DEC at (907) 269-7501 or visit the DEC PSP webpage for more information.

Other Saltwater Fishing

• If you’re 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.

Freshwater Fishing

Freshwater Streams

• Anglers are reminded that the Anchor and Ninilchik rivers and Deep Creek drainages are closed to all sport fishing from June 2, 2018, through July 15, 2018.

Lake Fishing

• Spring fishing on Kenai Peninsula stocked lakes can be great for hungry trout after a long winter under the ice. Most of these lakes are stocked with rainbow trout, which can be taken on dry or wet flies, small spoons, spinners, or bait. Review the 2018 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for a current list of stocked lakes.