Area Sport Fishing Reports
North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 27, 2019

Week of June 27 - July 3

Saltwater Fishing

Salmon

  • The king salmon limit in Resurrection Bay is currently two per day, any size. There is no annual or seasonal king salmon limit in effect, and there is no king salmon harvest reporting requirement, but a king salmon stamp is required.
  • King salmon fishing has slowed a bit but there are still fish being caught. Also, coho salmon are starting to show up! Some have been picked up as close as Pony Cove, but most have been caught further out.
  • If you are out fishing by boat, try trolling with a small to medium sized herring and an oversized flasher.
  • Sockeye salmon fishing in Resurrection Bay continues to be good and bag limits were increased to 12 fish. Most people are using snagging gear to catch limits. Snagging is only allowed in saltwater. Please see the corresponding emergency order number below. Sockeye fishing takes more patience now, but fish continue to move in towards Bear and Spring creeks daily.

Halibut/Lingcod/Rockfish

  • Lingcod fishing will open on July 1 in the North Gulf Coast; however, lingcod fishing is always closed in Resurrection Bay. 
    • These are aggressive fish but make sure you don’t use a gaff to puncture any fish you think you might need to release. 
    • Remember bag limits for lingcod are only one per day and in possession.
    • Anglers are likely to get into rockfish while targeting lingcod. If you haven’t utilized deepwater release methods to release rockfish you are not going to retain, this is a great time to become familiar with it! You can make your own release device with an old jig by filing off the barb and tying your line to the bend in the hook. For more info, check out our webpage. You can also stop by any ADF&G office to get a rockfish ID sheet and information on how to deepwater release.
  • Halibut fishing continues to be good, especially when the weather is good! Anglers have been able to travel further over the last week getting into some bigger fish.
  • The Seward Halibut Tournament ends on June 30. The top two fish are over 250lbs and third place was just caught this week. Large halibut are being caught daily.
  • Halibut are federally managed by NOAA. Please check Federal Regulations under NOAA’s Fisheries Sport Halibut Fishing in Alaska webpage.
  • Rockfish limits year-round are 4 fish per day, 8 in possession of which only 1 per day and 2 in possession can be a nonpelagic rockfish.
  • Effective January 2020, the use of a deepwater release mechanism will be required to be onboard all vessels sportfishing statewide and they must be used to release rockfish at depth of capture or 100 feet, whichever is shallower.

Other Saltwater Fishing

  • Hooligan dipnetting is closed.

Freshwater Fishing

Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden

  • Try creek mouths for Dolly Varden this time of the year. Casting small spinners and spoons off the beach can provide some good action.
  • If you are fly fishing, fry and smolt patterns are good to use in Seward area streams this time of the year.

Salmon

  • A portion of the Resurrection River freshwaters are open to sockeye salmon and the bag and possession limit has been increased. Watch for the sign designating freshwater. Please see the corresponding emergency order number below.
    • Fishing for sockeye in the freshwater areas takes a bit more patience. Snagged fish cannot be retained.

Lakes

  • First Lake in Seward is a quiet change right in town if you are looking for some rainbow trout fishing.
  • Troop Lake is a nice hike and fly-fishing option off the beaten path.

Emergency Orders

Please review the Emergency Orders and News Releases below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

  • Emergency Order 2-RS-8-20-19 INCREASED the bag limit of sockeye salmon to twelve per day and twelve in possession in the Resurrection River and the northern saltwaters of Resurrection Bay and opens the freshwaters of the Resurrection River effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 14 through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, 2019.
    • Anglers are reminded that snagging is not allowed in freshwater. Only unbaited, single-hook, artificial lures or flies are allowed in the freshwater area open to salmon fishing.

For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Anchorage Sport Fish Info Desk at (907) 267-2218.

Archives

Resurrection Bay Area Archives for:
Sep 17, 2019 Sep 13, 2019 Sep 05, 2019 Aug 29, 2019 Aug 22, 2019 Aug 14, 2019 Aug 07, 2019 Jul 31, 2019
Jul 25, 2019 Jul 19, 2019 Jul 11, 2019 Jul 03, 2019 Jun 27, 2019 Jun 20, 2019 Jun 13, 2019 Jun 06, 2019
May 31, 2019 May 24, 2019 May 16, 2019 May 09, 2019