Area Sport Fishing Reports
Southern Kenai/LCI

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 25, 2023

ADF&G News

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Freshwater Fishing

• Expect poor to fair coho salmon fishing over the week in the roadside streams. Try fishing at the mouths of the streams during the incoming tide to catch newly arriving fish or at daybreak when fish are more active. Salmon roe clusters suspended under a bobber is the most effective presentation.
• Fishing for Dolly Varden on the upper sections of the Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River has been poor to fair with fish scattered throughout the sections. The Anchor River has the most road-accessible locations in the upper section. Beads are the most effective this time of the season.

Saltwater Fishing

Halibut

• Halibut fishing continues to be very good in Cook Inlet. Weather permitting, the more distant locations have been producing larger fish and better numbers, but anglers willing to spend more time soaking bait can be successful in nearshore locations. Tutka Bay and Eldred Passage can be productive nearshore locations this time of year.
• Consider drifting in new locations to locate fish before setting the anchor.
• Herring on a circle hook is the most popular bait; however, octopus, salmon heads, and jigs also work.
• When anchoring, try using a chum bag to attract more fish to your location.

King Salmon

• Trolling for king salmon has remained fair in Kachemak Bay with anglers finding fish scattered throughout the area. Bluff Point and Point Pogibshi are the best locations.
• The most popular set-up is small troll herring or spoons behind a flasher, but spoons, hootchies, and tube flies may all produce fish.

Other Saltwater Fishing

• There are still a few coho salmon in the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon. Snagging will be the best option for catching these remaining fish.
• Coho salmon fishing within Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet has been a mix of success. Point Pogibshi and the Silver Ridge areas are the most likely to produce fish.
• Lingcod anglers have continued to have some success along the outer coast over the past week. Use leadhead jigs with a white grubtail for best results.
• Surf fishing in Cook Inlet has been fair. Anglers are finding success with halibut on the Clam Gulch beaches. Whiskey Gulch provides good shoreline access as well. The Homer Spit is the best bet for variety and numbers of fish.

Emergency Orders

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

• NEW: Emergency Order 2-SS-7-57-23 open snagging in the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon waters (excluding the Homer Harbor) for the remainder of the season.
• Emergency Order 2-RF-7-20-23 reduces the rockfish bag and possession limits in Cook Inlet to three per day and six in possession of which only one per day, two in possession can be nonpelagic.

Don’t forget to purchase your 2023 sport fishing license and king stamp! You can purchase your 2023 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 2023 Southcentral Alaska Sport 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.