Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 12, 2017

Week of July 12 to July 19

Regulation Reminders and Emergency Orders

Regulation Reminders

• Snagging is open in salt water south of Anchor Point.
• Per Emergency Order No. 2-KS-7-30-17, effective 12 p.m. Friday, July 14, 2017, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 16, 2017, the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon (Fishing Hole) and adjacent water, excluding the Homer Boat Harbor, are open to snagging. All other regulations remain in effect. 
• China Poot personal use dip net fishery is open and continues through August 7. Personal use caught sockeye salmon must have both tips of the tail fin removed prior to transport. Complete regulations are found on page 12-13 of the 2017 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.
• The lower portions of the Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Stariski Creek are open to sport fishing except for king salmon. Anglers are reminded that king salmon may not be targeted and if hooked, must be released immediately. Gear is limited to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure through July 15. Bait, two hooks and treble hooks are legal gear starting July 16.
• In saltwater, closed areas surrounding the Anchor River, Stariski Creek, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River remain in effect through July 15. Closed area boundaries are detailed on page 71 of the 2017 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.
• Lingcod season opened July 1. Anglers are reminded that the bag and possession limit is 2 fish and the minimum legal size is 35 inches with head attached or 28 inches from tip of tail to front of dorsal fin with head removed.
• The marine waters of Tutka Bay Lagoon within 100 yards of the hatchery net pens are closed to sport fishing for any species.

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

Groundfish

• Halibut fishing in Cook Inlet is good. Anglers are having success using herring on circle hooks. 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. Unguided and guided anglers have different rules to follow.
• Anglers who venture to the outer coast are reporting catches of lingcod and a variety of rockfish including yelloweye, black, dark, and dusky.
• 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 salmon.
• Rockfish caught in deep water suffer injuries from decompression. Recent research by Department staff indicates the survival of released rockfish can be substantially improved by releasing fish at the depth of capture. For details, visit the ADF&G Rockfish Conservation and Deepwater Release webpage.

Salmon

• Trolling success for king salmon remains sporadic throughout Kachemak Bay. Best angler reports have come from the south side of Kachemak Bay from Halibut Cove to Bear Cove.
• Downriggers are essential for trolling in deeper water. Try various depths between 15-90 feet. Small herring trolled behind a flasher or dodger is the most effective presentation. Small thin blade spoons and large spoons have been working as well.
• Anglers are reporting increased catches of pink salmon, chum, sockeye, and coho salmon in Lower Cook Inlet west of Seldovia.
• Anglers should expect poor to fair fishing for late run king salmon from Anchor Point to Deep Creek. Try trolling in shallow water at high tide for best success.
• The king salmon run at the Nick Dudiak Fishing lagoon should be nearing the end. Try using spinners at the surface to entice the remaining fish to bite. Some coho salmon have been reported but don’t expect good numbers for another couple of weeks.
• Sockeye and pink salmon are arriving at Tutka Bay lagoon. Most anglers target these fish with snagging gear.

Freshwaters Fishing Report

• There may be a few newly arriving hatchery king salmon in the Ninilchik River, but the run should be wrapping up soon. Salmon egg roe clusters suspended under a bobber would be the most effective setup but spinners, spoons and flies can also work.
• Dolly Varden fishing has been fair to good in the roadside streams. Try fishing the mouths of these streams for better success. Effective gear includes: small, bright single-hook spinners; fly patterns that resembles fish, such as muddler minnows; and egg patterns.
• Small numbers of pink salmon have been arriving in the roadside streams as well.
• Sockeye salmon are in at China Poot and available for sport fishing in salt water and personal use dip netting in freshwater. Access to these fisheries is during the incoming tide.

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 Sport Fish web site and at ADF&G offices.

Shellfish

• The next clamming tides runs from July 20 - July 26.
• Occasionally there are PSP advisories issued by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Contact the DEC at (907) 269-7501, or visit the DEC PSP webpage for more information.
• Razor clams can be found on beaches along the WEST SIDE of Cook Inlet and are accessed by boat or plane. Popular razor clam beaches include Crescent River, Chinitna Bay and Polly Creek. Boaters should use caution before traveling across the inlet because of strong currents and should check weather forecast before traveling.
• Littleneck (steamer) and butter 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 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.