Area Sport Fishing Reports
North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay

July 17, 2025

General Area Description: Salt waters within 200 miles of shore from the longitude of Gore Point to the longitude of Cape Fairfield. All fresh waters between Gore Point and Cape Fairfield.

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• Freshwaters in Resurrection Bay downstream of the Seward Highway and Nash Road is open to salmon fishing. The sockeye run has mostly come to an end, but pink salmon have arrived to the freshwaters at the head of Resurrection Bay. It will be a few weeks before coho salmon start to arrive.
  • Reminder: Only unbaited, single hook lures or flies are allowed in this section, and snagging is not permitted. The bag and possession limits are 3 for salmon other than king salmon (in combination), of which, only 2 may be coho salmon.

Saltwater Fishing

Halibut

• Halibut fishing has been good when the weather has allowed boats to travel out. Anglers are reporting good catches of large fish outside of Resurrection Bay. Outside of the bay target halibut on flats off the edge of points and pinnacles in about 200-300 feet of water while on anchor. Use large circles with herring or salmon bellies.
• Fishing inside the bay has been productive as well, but mostly small to medium-sized halibut. Fish with large jigs tipped with herring while anchored up with a chum bag. Locations to try include Bulldog Cove, Hat Island, Mary’s Bay, and the drop off near Tonsina Creek.

Lingcod

Anglers reported good success fishing around rocky structures in the Gulf of Alaska over the last week. Rocky pinnacles and capes are excellent locations to target lingcod. Try drifting over rocky structure with a white twister tail on a large jig tipped with herring.

Rockfish

• Anglers have reported good catch rates of a variety of pelagic rockfish near the entrance of Resurrection Bay and along the Gulf Coast.
  • Reminder: Effective May 27 through September 15, only 2 pelagic rockfish may be retained as part of a total bag limit of 3 rockfish.

Salmon

• King salmon fishing has been slow to fair in Resurrection Bay by boat. Anglers are picking up the occasional king salmon while targeting coho samon. Try trolling small herring near Derby Cove, Caines Head, and Thumb Cove to target king salmon in the bay.
• Coho salmon are getting picked up near Driftwood Bay and the outer portions of Resurrection Bay, including Pony Cove and Cheval Narrows. Some fish are even being caught further inside the bay as far in as Caines Head. Locating a school of coho and mooching with a hoochie squid and a small chunk of herring is a good method to target these salmon.
• Pink salmon are present throughout Resurrection Bay. Boat anglers are catching many while targeting coho salmon, and beach anglers have reported pink salmon at the beaches off Lowell Point and near Spring Creek.
• The Seward Lagoon and outfall stream is currently open for a youth-only king salmon fishing opportunity. Many jacks have been reported in the lagoon with a few larger fish mixed in.
  • By emergency order, this youth fishery is extended through July 31.
  • Reminder: Only one hook (single or treble) may be used during the youth-only fishery, but bait is permitted.

Local lakes

Fishing at Troop Lake has been excellent for rainbow trout and Arctic char. It is a short hike, but where the trail meets the lake, anglers can catch rainbow trout easily. A pack raft could be used to explore the lake and improve fish size and catch rates. Small spinners or nymph fly patterns are great way to target these hungry fish.

Special species information

Dolly Varden have started to show up around the beaches in Seward, such as Spring Creek and Lowell Point. Fishing will improve as other salmon species, such as pink salmon, begin showing up. Try casting medium-size spinners or small spoons off the beach. Sea run Dolly Varden will begin entering the creeks in large numbers over the next couple weeks.

Emergency Orders

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

• Effective May 27, Emergency Order 2-RF-7-21-25 reduces rockfish bag and possession limits in the salt waters of North Gulf Coast area (including Resurrection Bay) to 3 per day and 6 in possession of which only 2 per day and 4 in possession may be a pelagic rockfish and only 1 per day and 2 in possession may be nonpelagic rockfish from May 27 – September 15. In addition, yelloweye rockfish may not be retained from May 27 through June 30, 2025.
• Effective July 1, Emergency Order 2-KS-8-27-25 extends the youth only king salmon fishery in Seward Lagoon and the outfall stream through July 31.

Don't forget to purchase your 2025 sport fishing license and king stamp! You can purchase and display your fishing license and king stamp, record your annual harvest (i.e. king salmon), access sport fishing regulations and locations, and so much more on your mobile device. Download the ADF&G Mobile App today. You can also purchase licenses through the ADF&G online store and print them off from the comfort of your own home. Make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2025 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.

For additional information, please contact the Anchorage Office at 907-267-2218.