Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI

June 18, 2026

Freshwater Fishing

• Deep Creek is closed to all sport fishing through June 30, 2026.
• The Ninilchik River will reopen to fishing for hatchery king salmon June 20th through June 22nd. Fishing should be also be fair. Try fishing early morning hours for the best success. Top choices for lures include spinners, spoons, and heavily weighted flies.

Saltwater Fishing
Kachemak Bay/Cook Inlet

Halibut

Halibut fishing has been good but will be a bit challenging with the bigger tides this week. Fishing around slack tide is the best time for targeting halibut so you can hold on the bottom with less weight. Herring on a circle hook is the most popular bait; however, octopus, salmon heads, and jigs also work well.

King Salmon

King salmon fishing south of Bluff Point has been poor over the last week with reports from the Bluff and 4th of July areas, as well as some locations beyond Kachemak Bay. Small troll herring or spoons behind a flasher is the most popular setup, but hootchies and tube flies will also produce fish. To find king salmon at any location, try setting the gear at different depths including mid-water column and 10 feet off the bottom.

Surf Fishing

Whiskey Gulch and Deep Creek are still good options for halibut from shore. Don’t forget about fishing off the tip of the Homer Spit – that location can be productive for a variety of groundfish.

Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon

The king salmon run at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon is picking up and anglers are catching fish on the outside of the lagoon and inside the lagoon on the incoming tide. Roe under a bobber, herring, and spinners are all effective methods for king salmon here.

Seldovia Slough

King salmon fishing in the Seldovia Slough has been fair over the last few days. Anglers were having success fishing from the bridge during the incoming tide and in the lagoon around high tide.

Emergency Orders

Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip:

• Anchor River and Deep Creek Closed to All Sport Fishing Through July 15 and Gear Restricted July 16 Through July 31
• King Salmon Restrictions in Cook Inlet Salt Waters
• Reduced Season and Bag Limit for Hatchery King Salmon, and Gear Restrictions in the Ninilchik River
• Rockfish bag limit reduction: 2 pelagic, 1 non-pelagic. No retention of yelloweye April 1st – June 30th.
• Cook Inlet and North Gulf Coast Sport and Personal Use Razor Clam Permit Now Required

For additional information, please contact the Homer ADF&G Office at 907-235-8191.