Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI
Archived Sport Fishing Report
June 11, 2019
Week of June 11 - June 17
Freshwater Fishing
- The Ninilchik River will re-open June 16 to fishing for all species. This includes king salmon but only hatchery king salmon may be retained. Ninilchik River has bag and possession limits and fishing gear restrictions in effect right now! Please see the corresponding emergency orders below.
- There are good fishable numbers of king salmon in the Ninilchik River, both hatchery and wild. Remember to check for the absence of the adipose fin before removing any fish from the water.
- There are also good numbers of hatchery king salmon under 20” (jacks) in the Ninilchik River. Try using smaller spinners to catch them.
- Fly fishing with large streamers and spin-fishing with spinners or jigs has been working well.
Saltwater Fishing
Halibut
- Halibut fishing has been consistent in offshore locations in Cook Inlet and outer Kachemak Bay.
- Areas closer to shore in more protected waters can produce good fishing but may require more patience.
- Herring on a circle hook is the most popular bait, but sometimes it helps to have a variety of lures and scents in the water.
King Salmon
- There are good numbers of king salmon in the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon and Seldovia. Fishing is good at any time, but fishing near the top of the tide and early mornings is the most popular.
- Along with sporadic reports of good fishing in the area, king salmon fishing in Kachemak Bay has been generally slow over the last week. Most fish being caught are feeder kings.
- Trolling a wide variety of presentations can be effective, but a herring or lure behind a flasher is the most popular. Use a downrigger, diver, or banana weight to get your lure to where you think the fish are.
Shellfish
- The next clamming tides are June 16 - June 18.
- Razor clams can be found on beaches along the Westside of Cook Inlet and can be accessed by boat or plane. Popular razor clam beaches include the Polly Creek beach, Crescent River Bar, and Chinitna Bay. Boaters are advised to use caution before traveling across the Cook Inlet because of strong tidal currents and variable weather conditions.
- Littleneck and butter 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.
Emergency Orders
Please review the Emergency Orders and News Releases below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.
- Emergency Order 2-RCL-7-01-19 and 2-RCL-7-02-19 CLOSED all EASTSIDE Cook Inlet beaches to clamming for all species from the mouth of the Kenai River to the southernmost tip of the Homer Spit for 2019.
- Emergency Order 2-KS-7-11-19 limited the fishing season on the Anchor River and it is currently closed through July 15, 2019.
- Emergency Order 2-KS-7-12-19 restricted fishing gear to only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure in the Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River during the times these waters are open to sport fishing through July 15, 2019.
- Emergency Order 2-KS-7-13-19 reduced the king salmon bag and possession limits in the Ninilchik River to one hatchery king salmon 20 inches or greater in length.
- Emergency Order 2-KS-7-14-19 combined the annual limit for king salmon to two king salmon 20 inches or greater in length from the Anchor River, Deep Creek, Ninilchik, and all marine waters south of the latitude of the mouth of the Ninilchik River to the latitude of Bluff Point.
For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Homer office at (907) 235-8191.