Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 18, 2019

Week of June 18 - June 24

Freshwater Fishing

• The Ninilchik River is open to sport fishing for hatchery king salmon only. Both hatchery and wild fish are present in good numbers; however, fishing gear and bag and possession limits are in effect through July 15, 2019. See corresponding emergency orders below. Remember to check for the absence of the adipose fin before removing any fish from the water because the bag and possession limit is one hatchery king salmon 20 inches or greater in length from the Ninilchik River.
• King salmon can bite at any time of the day but fishing early morning and late evening is usually most effective.

Saltwater Fishing

Halibut

• Halibut fishing has been consistent in offshore locations in Cook Inlet and outer Kachemak Bay and is improving inside Kachemak Bay.
• Fishing when there are large tidal currents can be difficult. Concentrating your efforts during the time near slack tide will make it easier to fish.
• 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.

Salmon

• There are still king salmon present in the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon, but they have been harder to catch. Try fishing on the outside of the lagoon on the outgoing tide.
• King salmon trolling has been slow. Some fish have been caught in the Point Pogibshi and Bluff Point areas.
• Pink salmon are also starting to show up in outer Kachemak Bay.
• Trolling a wide variety of presentations can be effective. 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.

Other Saltwater Fishing

• Anglers have had good success fishing for a variety of groundfish at the tip of the Homer Spit. Try using a chunk of herring.
• Good numbers of rockfish have been caught from the Bluff Point and Point Pogibshi areas over the last couple of weeks. Both trolling and jigging are effective at catching rockfish.

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 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.