Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 23, 2022

ADF&G News

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Freshwater Fishing

• The lower sections of the Anchor River, Deep Creek, Stariski Creek and the Ninilchik River are open to sport fishing. The water levels and clarity on these streams has been fluctuating with recent rains and have been unfishable some days. Larger numbers of coho salmon typically move upstream as the water levels start to rise or when they are starting to recede.
• Expect poor to fair coho salmon fishing in these streams 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

• Halibut fishing should be good over the next week with the favorable marine forecast.
• Try drifting to find halibut before setting the anchor.
• 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 remained good over the last week with anglers catching fish from Bear Cove, Bluff Point, Silver Ridge, and along the outer coast.
• Small troll herring or spoons behind a flasher is the most popular setup, but also try without a flasher for a different presentation.
• To find king salmon at any location, try setting the gear at different depths including mid-water column and within 10 feet of the bottom.

Coho Salmon

• Expect slow silver salmon fishing at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon. There may be a few new fish returning late, but the run is mostly over.
• 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 fair and 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 order and advisory announcement below its 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.