Area Sport Fishing Reports
North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay

Archived Sport Fishing Report

September 05, 2019

Week of September 5 - September 11

CORRECTION: SALTWATER FISHING - KING SALMON BAG AND POSSESSION LIMIT AND SEASON UPDATED.

Saltwater Fishing

Salmon

  • King salmon are still getting picked up while trolling for coho salmon. Make sure to brush up on your species id!
    • Don’t forget, the king salmon limit in Resurrection Bay is now 1 per day and in possession, any size from September 1 - April 30. 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.
  • 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. Shore anglers near the outfall of the Seward Lagoon are finding a few fish. Anglers with vessels that travel out past Caines Head are getting into more coho. 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.
    • A Youth Only Fishery is occurring this Friday-Sunday, September 6-8, 2019. Fishing is anticipated to be slow although a few fish have been seen in the lagoon. Be prepared to a variety of setups including bait (roe) and spinners.
      • Reminder - The Seward Lagoon and lagoon outfall stream is only open to youth, anglers 15 of age or younger, during the Youth Only Fishery. Single-hook, artificial lures, and bait are legal. The bag and possession limit is two fish.

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 1 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. Cohos continue to get picked up by anglers targeting halibut. That’s a sign you should probably be fishing deep for your coho salmon.
  • 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 sport fishing 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. Right now, we are between runs. Coho fishing should pick up in the coming weeks for this freshwater area. Watch for the sign designating freshwater.

Local Lakes

  • 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.

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