Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 27, 2017

Week of June 28 to July 5

Regulation Reminders and Emergency Orders

Regulation Reminders

• On July 1, the lower portions of the Anchor River, Deep Creek and Stariski Creek open to sport fishing except for king salmon. Anglers are reminded that king salmon may not be targeted and if hooked, they must be released immediately. Gear is limited to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure.
• The Ninilchik River is open for hatchery king salmon from the mouth to the ADF&G markers located approximately two miles upstream and anglers are allowed to fish with bait.
• In saltwaters, closed areas surrounding the Anchor River, Stariski Creek, Deep Creek, and the Ninilchik River remain in effect through July 15. Closed area boundaries are detailed on page 71 of the 2017 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulation Summary booklet.
• Snagging is open in Kachemak Bay east of a line from Anchor Point to Point Pogibshi except for the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon (Fishing Hole), which only opens by emergency order.
• China Poot personal use dipnet fishery is open July 1 through August 7, upstream of the ADF&G markers. Personal use caught sockeye salmon must have both tips of the tail fin removed. Complete regulations are located on page 13 of the 2017 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulation Summary booklet.
• Rockfish caught in deep water suffer injuries from decompression. Recent research by ADF&G staff indicates that the survival of released rockfish can be substantially improved by releasing fish at the depth of capture. For more information, visit the ADF&G Rockfish Conservation and Deepwater Release webpage.
  • Remember that while you may retain five rockfishes per day, only one may be a non-pelagic species (review the rockfish identification chart on page 90).
• Lingcod season opens July 1 through December 31, two per day, two in possession, must be at least 35 inches long with head attached or 28 inches from tip of tail to front of dorsal fin with head removed.

Razor Clam Emergency Order

• All Eastside Cook Inlet beaches from the Kenai River to the tip of the Homer Spit are CLOSED to the taking of all clams through December 31, 2017.

Saltwaters Fishing Report

Halibut

• Halibut fishing is good and some larger halibut are being harvested, though the extreme low tides last weekend resulted in lower than average fishing pressure. This fishery will continue to improve as more fish move from deep, overwintering waters back to the shallower summer feeding areas.
• Herring is the most popular bait, but octopus, squid, salmon heads, and jigs also work well.
• Unguided anglers can retain two halibut a day, four in possession. Regulations for guided anglers can be found by following the link in the ‘Regulations Reminders’ section.

Salmon

• Trolling success for feeder king salmon has slowed throughout Kachemak Bay and Upper Cook Inlet. Anglers have reported catching mature king salmon near Glacier Spit. Anglers also reported success when trolling in deeper water near Bluff Point.
• Anglers are reporting catching coho salmon near Point Pogibshi.
• Downriggers are essential for trolling in deeper water. Small herring trolled behind a flasher or dodger is the most effective presentation. Try setting a downrigger at various depths between 15 to 90 feet.
• Small thin blade spoons and large spoons have been working as well. King salmon are continuing to enter the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon on the Homer Spit but fishing success has slowed. Try salmon eggs or herring suspended under a bobber and also try fishing around the incoming tide as new fish arrive.
• Small schools of king salmon are continuing to enter the Seldovia Lagoon. The best time to fish is during the incoming tide as new fish arrive. Anglers are using spinners, herring, and shrimp as bait.
• Over the past week angler reports from Halibut Cove Lagoon suggest that few fish have returned to the lagoon this year. Expect an increase in effort with this fishery now that the area is open to snagging.

Other Saltwater Fishing

• Fishing off the end of the Homer Spit can be a fun way to pass the time. Species available include Walleye pollock, Pacific cod, a variety of flatfish species, and an occasional king salmon.
• Rockfish harvest is increasing as the season progresses, and both Bluff Point and Point Pogibshi have been producing black, dark and dusky rockfish.
• There have been reports of increased spiny dogfish bycatch. If you do retain spiny dogfish, remember that the limit is five per day, five in possession.

Freshwaters Fishing Report

• Fishing for hatchery only king salmon from the mouth upstream approximately 2 miles to the ADF&G regulatory markers is open in the Ninilchik River. There will continue to be new fish arriving into July. Try the early morning hours for the best fishing.
• Dolly Varden are beginning to enter the roadside streams. Fish near the mouth for best success. Try fishing for Dolly Varden with a small, bright single-hook spinner or with a fly pattern that resembles fish, such as muddler minnows or egg patterns.
• The Anchor and Ninilchik River weirs are operational and fish counts are available on the ADF&G webpage.

Lake Fishing

• The Kenai Peninsula stocked lakes fishing conditions are good. Most of these lakes are stocked with rainbow trout which, 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 clamming tides run from July 7 through July 13.
• There will be a Tanner crab fishery opening October 1, 2017, and closing February 28, 2018.
• All shrimp and crab fisheries in Kachemak Bay remain closed for 2017.