Area Sport Fishing Reports
North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 11, 2019

Week of July 10 - July 17

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 a few are still fish being caught. This Friday and weekend (July 12-14) is the king salmon youth-only fishery in the Seward Lagoon and outfall stream (Scheffler Creek).
• Coho salmon are showing 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 is slowing way down. The bag limits were increased to 12 fish. Most people are using snagging gear to catch sockeye. 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 release.
  • Remember bag limits for lingcod are only one per day and in possession. The minimum size to retain a lingcod is 35 inches with the head attached (or 28 inches with the head removed).
  • 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.
• Halibut are federally managed by NOAA. Please check Federal Regulations under NOAA’s Fisheries Sport Halibut Fishing in Alaska.
• 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.
  • Never heard of deepwater release?? Check out our webpage for more info!

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. Fishing has been slow. 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 spot in town if you are looking for some rainbow trout fishing. Fishing is better in the early morning or evening when it is cooler. By mid-day fish are seen but very tight lipped. Flies on the surface were still getting bites.
  • 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 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.