Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 17, 2017

Week of May 15 to May 21

Emergency Orders and Regulation Reminders

Razor Clam Emergency Order

• All east side Cook Inlet beaches from the Kenai River to the tip of the Homer Spit are CLOSED for all clamming through December 31, 2017.

Regulation Reminders

• The 2017 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations are now available online, at license vendors, and at ADF&G offices.
• It’s a good idea to consult the 2017 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations booklet before starting your fishing trip. Make sure to consult pages 70-71 before heading out to fish for king salmon in Cook Inlet salt waters.
• See the ADF&G’s webpage for Emergency Orders and News Releases and to review the  2017 Statewide Sport Fishing Regulations online.
• New regulations for ALL salt waters between 60°03.99’N (about 1 mile north of the Ninilchik River) to the latitude of Bluff Point 59° 40’N apply. This entire area of Cook Inlet is affected by the following new regulations:
  • Anglers may not continue to fish for king salmon after harvesting a king salmon, but can fish for other species such as halibut.
  • Guides and their crew may not sport fish while a client is present or within the guide’s control or responsibility, unless the guide is providing assistance to a client with a disability as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Anglers are also reminded a king salmon that measures 20 inches or longer that is removed from salt water must be retained and becomes part of the bag limit of the person who hooked the fish.
• Regulation changes are in effect for guided anglers that fish for halibut. A more extensive description of these federal regulations can be reviewed on the NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region factsheet.
• Tanner crab will open from October 1 through the end of February.
• Lingcod season will open by regulation on July 1.

Saltwaters Fishing Report

Halibut

• Early season halibut fishing is fair though most fish are small. The fishery will improve as fish move from deep, overwintering waters back to the shallower summer feeding areas.
• Herring is the most popular bait; however, octopus, salmon heads, and jigs also work well.

King Salmon

• Early-run king salmon are available this time of year in the nearshore salt waters of Anchor Point, Whiskey Gulch, and Deep Creek. Fishing has been good North of Bluff Point to the Anchor Point Light and in the Whiskey Gulch and Happy Valley areas. Anglers are finding king salmon in shallow water from 10 to 40 feet deep.
• Trolling success for feeder king salmon is reported as very good from Bluff Point south and in Kachemak Bay.
• Trolling success for feeder king salmon is reported as fair to excellent north of Bluff Point. Feeder king salmon are often mixed with maturing Cook Inlet king salmon making their way to Cook Inlet streams.
• Herring in a variety of sizes has been the most effective but small thin blade spoons and large spoons have been working as well. Most anglers are using flashers to attract in king salmon.
• To find fish, try fishing a variety of depths up to 100 feet near rocky points and kelp beds.
• As part of the Chinook Salmon Research Initiative, the Department is looking at the genetic stock composition of the marine king salmon fishery. There are port samplers stationed at the Homer Harbor, Deep Creek, and Anchor Point tractor launches conducting quick interviews and collecting biological information, scales, and genetic clips from sport caught king salmon. If you fished for king salmon in Cook Inlet, regardless of success, we’d like to talk to you! More information, please visit the Chinook Salmon Research Initiative webpage.
• Small numbers of king salmon have shown up at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon but expect the fishing to be slow over the next week.

Other Saltwater Fishing

• Fishing off the end of the Homer Spit can be a fun way to spend time. Species available include Walleye Pollock, Pacific cod, a variety of flatfish species and an occasional king salmon.

Fresh Waters Fishing Report

• The Anchor River downstream of the ADF&G marker near the confluence of the north and south forks opens May 20 through May 22 and then on Wednesday, May 24. Expect water conditions to be relatively high and slightly turbid. Expect salmon egg roe clusters to be the most effective in these water conditions. Try adding a spin-n-glo for added attraction and fishing at the mouth of the river on the start of the incoming tide for newly arriving fish.

Lake Fishing

• The ice is gone from most Kenai Peninsula stocked lakes and fishing conditions are good. Most of these lakes are stocked with rainbow trout, which, at this time of year, are taken on dry or wet flies, small spoons, spinners, or bait. A brochure listing the locations of the stocked lakes is available on the ADF&G Sport Fish webpage and at ADF&G offices.

Shellfish

• The next series of clamming tides run May 23 through May 29.
• Razor clams can be found on beaches along the west side of Cook Inlet and can be accessed by boat or plane. Popular razor clam beaches include the Crescent River, Chinitna Bay, and Polly Creek. Boaters should use caution before traveling across Cook Inlet because of strong currents and should check the weather forecast before traveling.
• Littleneck (steamer) clams can be found in gravel beaches on the south side of Kachemak Bay from Seldovia to Chugachik Island.
• Good numbers of butter clams are found on the islands in China Poot Bay. Butter clams can be found up to two feet deep. Littleneck clams can be found in a variety of habitats from Jakolof Bay to Bear Cove. Try exploring new beaches for success. Typically, littleneck clams are found shallower in the substrate, up to eight inches deep.
• There are occasional PSP advisories issued by the Department of Environmental Conservation. Contact the DEC at (907) 269-7501, or check out the PSP webpage for more information.
• Shrimp, Dungeness crab, and king crab fisheries in Kachemak Bay remain closed for 2017.