Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 29, 2017

Week of August 30 to September 5

Regulation Reminders and Emergency Orders

Regulation Reminders

• On the Anchor River, Ninilchik River, Deep Creek, and Stariski Creek, effective September 1 to October 31, only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure maybe be used on all stream sections.
• In Cook Inlet saltwaters, effective September 1 to March 31, the bag and possession limit is two king salmon of any size and there is no recording requirement.
• Please familiarize yourself with the differences between coho salmon and steelhead trout. Steelhead and rainbow trout have black spots all over both lobes of the tail; while coho have black spots only on the upper lobe of the tail. Steelhead and rainbow trout may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
• The Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon Area is closed to snagging from the Homer City Dock near the entrance of the Homer Boat Harbor (including the Homer Boat Harbor) to the ADF&G markers about 200 yards northwest of the lagoon entrance to a distance of 300 feet from shore.

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.

Saltwater Fishing Report

Halibut

• Halibut fishing is still possible throughout the fall and into the winter but few anglers target them as larger halibut have begun their migration offshore and winter storms make for rough seas.
• Anglers targeting halibut are having success using herring on circle hooks. Herring is the most popular bait; however, 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. Or try drifting when currents are stronger or exploring new areas.
• Anglers report catching spiny dogfish while targeting halibut. Anglers are advised to move to another location if spiny dogfish bycatches are high.

Salmon

• Feeder king salmon fishing in Kachemak Bay has been poor to fair over the past week. Anglers have reported catching king salmon at Point Pogibshi while fishing for coho salmon.
• There was still fair to good fishing for coho salmon at Point Pogibshi over the last week. Anglers also reported catching a fair number of pink salmon in this area as well.
• 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. Try fishing in deeper water over 50 feet, to avoid pink salmon when targeting king or coho salmon.
• Although there still have been some coho salmon along the Homer Spit, the run at Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon is likely over for the season. There may be a few stragglers for the anglers willing to try.

Other Saltwater Fishing

• Fishing for lingcod has been slow since the season opened on July 1. Those anglers returning with lingcod are most successful near Chugach or Elizabeth Islands.
• 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 regulations regarding bag and possession limits and know which species you are targeting before you harvest.
• The best locations for targeting black, dark and dusky rockfish in Kachemak Bay are along Bluff Point and near Point Pogibshi, with the best fishing being outside of Cook Inlet around the Chugach Islands.
• Anglers use a variety of gear including spoons, jigs, herring and flies to catch rockfish. Rockfish are also commonly caught when trolling with downriggers for salmon.
  • Rockfish caught in deep water suffer injuries from decompression. Recent research by ADF&G indicates survival of released rockfish can be substantially improved by releasing fish at the depth of capture. For more information on the use of deep water release mechanisms, see the ADF&G Rockfish Conservation and Deepwater Release webpage.

Freshwater Fishing Report

Streams

• Fishing conditions this week are less than ideal due to the streams being high and muddy from recent rains. Fishing will improve when the streams start dropping and clearing.
• Coho salmon runs are likely winding down but there are still some small schools moving through. Try fishing early in the morning or at the mouth of the stream during the incoming tide.
• Fishing salmon roe clusters and herring are the most effective method to target coho salmon. On September 1, when these streams are restricted to single-hook, no bait, try using small spinners, spoons, or marabou jigs suspended under a bobber.
• Steelhead trout should be starting to enter the roadside streams and some anglers have been catching them while targeting coho salmon. The most effective presentation for catching steelhead trout is dead drifting beads or egg patterns and swinging leeches. Small spinners and marabou jigs also work well.
• When the stream conditions are clear, expect good fishing for Dolly Varden in the upper streams sections. Try fishing for Dolly Varden with beads, egg patterns, small bright spinners, fresh salmon eggs, or fly patterns that resemble fish such as muddler minnows.

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.

Shellfish

• The next series of clamming tides are September 4 to September 11.
• A Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) advisory was issued two weeks ago for Kasitsna Bay in Kachemak Bay. As always, consuming sport harvested shellfish is at your own risk. Contact the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (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 WESTSIDE 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 season opening October 1, 2017, and closing February 28, 2018.
• All shrimp and other crab fisheries in Kachemak Bay remain closed for 2017.