Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 26, 2017

Week of July 26 to August 2

Regulation Reminders and Emergency Orders

Regulation Reminders

• Snagging is allowed in Lower Cook Inlet south of Anchor Point through December 31, except in the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon.
• China Poot personal use dip net fishery is open upstream of the ADF&G makers 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 Regulation 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, they must be released immediately.
• On the Anchor River, Deep Creek, Stariski Creek, and Ninilchik River, bait and treble hooks are legal gear through August 31 on these streams. The upstream locations remain closed until August 1.
• Lingcod season opened July 1. Anglers are reminded that the bag and possession limit is two 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.
• Unguided anglers can retain two halibut per day with four in possession.
• The bag and possession limit for spiny dogfish sharks is five per day and in possession with no recording requirement. The bag and possession limit for all other sharks is one per day and in possession, applies to the annual limit of two and must be recorded immediately on the back of your fishing license.
• 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

Halibut

• Halibut fishing in Cook Inlet is good with most anglers obtaining their limit.
• 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.
• Try fishing around and during slack tide. This allows anglers to keep their bait on the bottom using less weight.

Salmon

• Trolling success for king salmon has been fair to good from the Eldred Passage area, Point Pogibshi and the south side of Kachemak Bay. Other salmon species are being caught in these areas as well, especially pink salmon.
• Anglers are reporting catches of coho (silver) salmon from the Chugach Islands to Point Pogibshi, Silver Salmon Ridge, and Kachemak Bay.
• Anglers are reporting good catches of pink salmon along the south side of Kachemak Bay. Anglers are reminded that pink salmon may be used as bait in the salt water fisheries, but are counted as part of your daily bag limit.
• 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 decreased catches of late run king salmon from Anchor Point to Deep Creek over this past week. Try trolling in shallow water at high tide for best success.
• Coho (silver) salmon have been arriving in the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon although success has been low. Try salmon eggs or herring suspended under a bobber. Some anglers also have success with spinners. The best time for try for newly arriving fish would be as water starts flooding into the lagoon on the incoming tide.
• Fishing in Tutka Bay Lagoon for pink and sockeye salmon has been good.
• Dipnetting success for sockeye salmon in China Poot remains good. The peak of this run is the middle of July, so look for this fishery to wind down soon.

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 salmon. Be certain to check current regulations regarding bag and possession limits and know which species it is that you’re keeping before harvesting them.
• Anglers are reporting catches of black, dark, and dusky rockfish along Bluff Point and near Point Pogibshi. Anglers use a variety of gear including spoons, jigs, herring and flies to catch rockfish. They are also commonly caught when trolling with downriggers for 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 information, visit the ADF&G Rockfish Conservation and Deepwater Release webpage.
• An 8 foot female salmon shark was recently caught in Central Cook Inlet. Anglers are reminded that there is an annual limit of two sharks, excluding spiny dogfish.

Freshwaters Fishing Report

• On the Ninilchik River, some bright to blush hatchery king salmon are still available. Salmon egg roe clusters, cut plug herring, spinners, spoons and jugs should all be effective bait and tackle for catching hatchery king salmon.
• Dolly Varden fishing has been good in roadside streams. Try fishing the mouths of these streams for better success. Effective gear includes: small, bright single-hook spinners; fly patterns that resemble fish, such as muddler minnows; and egg patterns.
• Expect fair fishing for pink salmon in roadside streams. Fish near the mouths of these streams for best results.
• Some coho (silver) salmon are arriving in area streams; try fishing early in the morning or at the mouth of the stream 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, 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 local ADF&G offices.

Shellfish

• The next clamming tides run from August 6 - August 11.
• Occasionally there are Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) advisories issued by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Contact the DEC at (907) 269-7501, or visit the DEC Shellfish webpage for more information regarding PSP.
• 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 the 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 other crab fisheries in Kachemak Bay remain closed for 2017.