Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI

July 24, 2024

Freshwater Fishing

• Anchor River, Deep Creek, and the Ninilchik River are open to sport fishing other than king salmon. There continues to be fair numbers of Dolly Varden entering these streams. Expect fair fishing. For fly fisherman, smolt patterns, streamers, and beads are the best options. Spinners and spoons are great options for fishing with spinning rods.

• China Poot personal use dipnet fishery continues to be outstanding for sockeye salmon. Those making the trip across the bay are easily dipping limits. There be a couple of pink salmon showing up so pay close attention that you are keeping sockeye salmon.

Saltwater Fishing

Kachemak Bay/Cook Inlet

Halibut

Halibut fishing has been really good with all of the favorable marine weather. The marine forecast suggest that the seas may limit fishing a bit more this week. 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 was still productive over the last week. Expect small numbers of king salmon scattered throughout 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.

Lingcod

The calm seas over the last week provided good opportunity to make it to the outer coast and the lingcod fishing was good. Except similar fishing when seas are favorable to make it out to the Chugach Islands area.

Sockeye Salmon

Sockeye salmon fishing in China Poot was exceptional through the weekend. Tutka Bay Lagoon was fair and pink salmon are starting to arrive. Expect similar conditions over the week.

Surf Fishing

Surf fishing at the tip of the Homer spit has provided anglers a variety of groundfish including halibut, sculpins, skates, sharks, flounders, and cod.

Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon

Small numbers of coho salmon were caught in the lagoon last week. Expect poor fishing until more fish show up. Salmon roe clusters or chunks of herring suspended under a bobber will likely be the best bet for getting coho salmon to bite.

Local Lakes

The Homer Reservoir (located on Skyline Drive) is a great place to take catch Dolly Varden. The fish are small, but can be fun to catch. Dollies are often found along the shore by the road, or the south shore. Try a variety of very small spinners and spoons. Nymphs and dry flies, such as mosquitoes, can work great when the wind is calm.

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-7-07-24:Sport Fishing For King Salmon Closed in Upper Cook Inlet Salt Waters
• Emergency Order 2-KS-7-12-24:King Salmon Bag Limit Reduced from 2 to 1 in Lower Cook Inlet Salt Waters
• Press Release: Cook Inlet Sport Fishing Regulation Changes

Don't forget to purchase your 2024 sport fishing license and king stamp! You can purchase and display your fishing license and king stamp, record your annual harvest (i.e. king salmon), access sport fishing regulations and locations, and so much more on your mobile device. Download the ADF&G Mobile App today. You can also purchase licenses through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home. Make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2024 Southcentral Alaska 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.