Area Sport Fishing Reports
North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 26, 2021

* Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing, and wearing a face-covering when social distancing is not possible, and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store.

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.

Freshwater Fishing

Hooligan

• No current reports of hooligan from the Resurrection River area although with the high variability in hooligan run timing, they could be arriving any time.
• Dipnetting for hooligan (smelt) opened on April 1 and will remain open until June 15. There is no bag or possession limit.
• This is a personal use fishery and only Alaska residents can participate. No permit is required, but you do need a valid 2021 Alaska resident sport fishing license or ADF&G Permanent fishing license ID card with you.
• For additional information on dipnetting for hooligan see page 16 of the 2021 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.
• Let us know if you see or catch any hooligan around the Resurrection River.

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

• There are no freshwater drainages in Resurrection Bay open to salmon fishing at this time of the year. Opening day in select areas is June 16.

Saltwater Fishing

• Deepwater release mechanism is required on all sportfishing vessels in Alaska, and they must be used to release rockfish back down to a depth of capture or 100 feet, whichever is shallower. Ever heard of deepwater release? Check out our webpage for more info!

Halibut/Lingcod/Rockfish

• Halibut fishing has been reported as fair. To find halibut anglers are reporting going 300 feet or deeper and traveling further out.
• Rockfish limits year-round are four fish per day, eight in possession of which only one per day and two in possession can be nonpelagic rockfish. Check the 2021 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for species identification information.
• Lingcod fishing will open on July 1.

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 has been slow but there have been some fish caught from shore over the last few days. It is still a little early for king salmon returning towards the Seward Lagoon.
• Sockeye salmon have been caught at the head of the bay for those anglers willing to put in the effort.

Local Lakes

• First Lake was stocked with rainbow trout. Fishing should be good. Try casting and retrieving a small spinner or a hook with a single egg. Soaking a single egg below a bobber is also worth trying. The fish can be picky midday so often times the early morning or evening will have a better bite.
• No new reports from Troop Lake. Fishing should be good as ice is just clearing off this lake. It can make for a nice little day hike and fishing adventure.

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.

Don't forget to purchase your 2021 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2021 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 2021 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing for before you head out.

For additional information, please contact the Anchorage Area Office at (907) 267-2218.