Area Sport Fishing Reports
North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 29, 2019

Week of August 29 - September 4

Saltwater Fishing

Salmon

• King salmon are still getting picked up while trolling for coho. Make sure to brush up on your species id!
  • Don’t forget, 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.
• The Seward Silver Salmon Derby ended August 18. The winning fish was 15.99 lbs.
• Coho salmon fishing has been fair to good. Recent reports are of more fish getting picked up closer to town but still not in large numbers. Anglers that travel out past Caines Head are getting into more fish. If you are out fishing by boat, try a mix of mooching and trolling with a different set up. The jellyfish are giving anglers some trouble so take along a variety of set ups along to figure out what will work best.
  • Don’t forget, the coho salmon bag limit outside of Resurrection Bay is 3 per day and 3 in possession and inside Resurrection Bay is 6 per day and 6 in possession. Anglers that have caught 6 cohos inside Resurrection Bay may not leave the bay.

Halibut/Lingcod/Rockfish

• Lingcod fishing opened 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 Rockfish Conservation webpage.
  • Having trouble identifying the species of rockfish you caught? Check out our rockfish ID sheet for the more commonly captured rockfish. You can also check out NOAA’s in-depth rockfish identification page.
• Halibut fishing continues to be good. Coho salmon continue to get picked up by anglers targeting halibut. That’s a sign you should probably be fishing deep for coho.
• 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 and 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!

Freshwater Fishing

Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden

• Try creek mouths for Dolly Varden this time of the year. Especially creeks where pinks and chum salmon will be spawning. Casting small spinners and spoons off the beach can provide some good action.
• If you are fly fishing, egg 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 and coho salmon fishing. We are between runs right now. Coho fishing should pick up in the coming weeks for this freshwater area. Watch for the sign designating freshwater.

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. Anglers have been reporting success in this lake with both flies and spinners.

Emergency Orders

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

• There are currently no Emergency Orders for the North Gulf Coast Management Area.

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