Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 16, 2022

ADF&G News

ADF&G is mobile. You can purchase and display your fishing license and king stamp, record your annual harvest (i.e. king salmon, halibut), access sport fishing regulations and locations, and so much more on your mobile device. Download the ADF&G Mobile App today.

Freshwater Fishing

• The lower sections of the Anchor River, Deep Creek, Stariski Creek and the Ninilchik River are open to sport fishing. Newly arriving coho salmon are entering these streams daily and fishing should be fair over the next week. Try fishing in the early morning or later evening when coho salmon are more active. Small salmon egg clusters suspended under a bobber is the most successful but spinners, spoons, plugs, herring, and flies will all work at times.
• The upper sections of the Anchor River, Deep Creek, Stariski Creek, and the Ninilchik River are open to fishing for Dolly Varden and steelhead. The most accessible upper section is the Anchor River along the Sterling Highway and the south end of the North Fork Road. Using beads pegged under a small bobber is the most popular way to target Dolly Varden, but spoons, nymphs, small spinners, and occasionally dry flies, also work.

Saltwater Fishing

Halibut

• The marine weather was more favorable last week, which allowed anglers to get to offshore locations and the halibut fishing was good.
• There will be less tidal exchange this week which should give anglers more time to fish on the anchor at slack tide.
• Herring on a circle hook is the most popular bait; however, octopus, salmon heads, and jigs also work well.

King Salmon

• Trolling for king salmon was good over the last week with anglers catching fish from Bear Cove, Bluff Point, Silver Ridge area, and along the outer coast.
• Small troll herring, spoons, and lures will be effective at catching king salmon. The use of flashers can help attract salmon to your gear.

Coho Salmon

• Coho salmon fishing in the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon is winding down. Expect slow fishing over the next week. If the coho salmon aren’t biting cured roe or herring under a bobber, try a spinner to entice a bite. Early morning before the sun hits the water tends to be best.
• Shore anglers have been catching some coho salmon along the east side of the Homer spit at high tide. Look for fish cruising under the surface or for jumpers.
• Trolling for coho salmon has been slow but fish are scattered throughout Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet. Point Pogibshi, Silver Ridge area, and Bluff Point all produced coho salmon last week.

Other Saltwater Fishing

Most anglers targeting lingcod take a charter or have large personal boats to get to the outer coast and fish near the Chugach Islands.

Emergency Orders

Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

• Emergency Order 2-RCL-7-01-22 and 2-RCL-7-02-22 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 in 2022.

Don’t forget to purchase your 2022 sport fishing license and king stamp! You can purchase your 2022 sport fishing license and king stamp through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home. Also, make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2022 Southcentral Alaska Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing in before you head out.

For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Homer office at (907) 235-8191.