Area Sport Fishing Reports
North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay
Archived Sport Fishing Report
June 10, 2020
* Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing the current State of Alaska Health Mandates in effect. This includes practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing and wearing a face covering when fishing and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.
* The Alaska Board of Fisheries adopted several proposals establishing new sport fish regulations for the North Gulf Coast Area at its Seward December 2019 meeting and the Anchorage February 2020 meeting. Please see the 2020 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulation Summary booklet for a complete summary of the North Gulf Coast sport fisheries regulations.
General Area Description: Salt waters within 200 miles of shore from the longitude of Gore Point to the longitude of Cape Fairfield. All fresh waters between Gore Point and Cape Fairfield.
Effective January 2020, the use of a deepwater release mechanism is required on all sport fishing vessels in Alaska and they must be used to release rockfish back down to depth of capture or 100 feet, whichever is shallower. Never heard of deepwater release? Check out our Rockfish Conservation webpage for more info!
Emergency Orders
Please review the Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.
- There are currently no Emergency Orders for the North Gulf Coast Management Area.
Freshwater Fishing
- Hooligan
- A few hooligan continue to be caught in the Resurrection River but the run is tapering off. There is no bag or possession limit.
- Dipnetting for hooligan (smelt) in freshwater will close for the season on June 15.
- Dipping for hooligan in saltwater is closed.
- This is a personal use fishery and only Alaska residents can participate. No permit is required, but you do need a valid 2020 Alaska resident sport fishing license or ADF&G Permanent fishing license ID card with you.
- For additional information on dipnetting for hooligan see the 2020 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations summary booklet.
- 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
- The Resurrection River, downstream of the Seward Highway and Nash Road to the ADF&G markers will open to salmon fishing (except king salmon) on Tuesday, June 16. Only unbaited, single hook, artificial lures or flies are allowed. The bag limit per day is three fish and the possession limit is only three fish.
- The Youth-Only Fishery for chinook salmon at the Seward Lagoon and Outfall stream (also known as Scheffler Creek) opens June 17 and goes through June 30. More information will be available as those dates get closer.
Saltwater Fishing
Port Sampling efforts in Seward are currently underway. Please assist our port sampling program by returning to the harbor with whole groundfish or groundfish carcasses and allowing ADF&G technicians to sample your harvest. Data collected from the sport fish harvest is needed to manage and maintain healthy fisheries. We appreciate you supporting the port sampling program and your assistance in getting managers information that aids in managing fisheries in the Southcentral.
Halibut/Lingcod/Rockfish
- Lingcod fishing will open on July 1 in the North Gulf Coast; however, it is always closed in Resurrection Bay.
- Halibut fishing has been reported as fair to good. A few nice halibut are being caught within the Resurrection Bay. Although many of the larger halibut are being caught by anglers in the outer portion of the North Gulf Coast or outer PWS.
- The Seward Halibut Tournament is set for June 15 - June 30 this year.
- Halibut are federally managed by NOAA. Please check Federal Regulations under NOAA Fisheries Sport Halibut Fishing in Alaska webpage.
- Rockfish limits year-round are four fish per day, eight in possession of which only one can be a nonpelagic rockfish. Check the 2020 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for species identification information.
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 stamp is required.
- King fishing continues to pick up with more fish getting caught from shore now. Fish continue to move in and those out on boats in the bay trolling have been the most successful.
- Sockeye salmon are being caught at the head of Resurrection Bay. Depending on the tide some anglers are reporting being able to catch their limits when spending the time. As of the
June 8, 2020, the Bear Creek Weir operated by Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association has counted 5,848 sockeye salmon. Harvest in the saltwater cost recovery fishery continues. Fishing for sport anglers should continue to pick up over the next couple of weeks.
Hooligan
- Dipnetting for hooligan closed in saltwaters on May 31. Starting June 1 make sure you know if you are in fresh or saltwater. Freshwater remains open to dipping for hooligan until June 15.
Local Lakes
- First lake has been stocked with rainbow trout and fishing has been reported as good. This is a great place to take the kids.
- Troop Lake is a fun hike and good place to try if you are looking for a new lake to explore.
Don’t forget to bring your 2020 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2020 sport fishing license and king stamp through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home. Also, make sure to review Emergency Orders and the 2020 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.
For additional information, please contact the Anchorage Area Office at (907) 267-2218.