Alaska Fishing Reports

Report from Alaska Fish and Game

Personal Use

The Chitina Subdistrict opened Tuesday, August 5 at 12:01.a.m. and closes Sunday, August 10 at 11:59 p.m. The Chitina Subdistrict will reopen 12 noon Tuesday, August 12 and close 11:59 p.m. Sunday August 17. There are no supplemental periods during these fishing openings. Fishing is fair this week and people are getting there limits of sockeye and even a few kings are being caught. The preliminary season schedule is based on the projected daily sonar counts at the Miles Lake sonar and is subject to change based on actual salmon escapement. The total seasonal limit is 15 salmon for a household of one, and 30 salmon for a household of two or more of which only one may be a king salmon.

The sonar at Miles Lake was removed on Aug 2.

King Salmon Fishing

King salmon fishing is closed in all area rivers and streams of the Copper River Drainage. Please remember to respect private property owner’s lands as access is very limited along the Klutina, Tonsina and Gulkana Rivers. More information can be found on the Fish Counts pages.

Sockeye Salmon Fishing

Sockeye fishing is slow in the Klutina and Gulkana Rivers due to lower numbers of fish and few sockeye are being taken. Water levels this week on the Gulkana River are higher than at spring runoff levels due to continuing rain. The counting tower is still operational and counting has been on and off due to conditions of the water clarity. Sockeye are present in the Tonsina River in smaller numbers which sees little pressure from sport fisherman.

Lake Trout

The larger lakes which include Lake Louise, Paxson, Summit, Susitna, and Tyone should continue to produce good catches of fish throughout the summer.

Stocked Lakes

Tolsona Lake was stocked July, 2 with 30,000 rainbow fry. Past access issues have been resolved and parking is available but respect local land owners private property. Previous lakes stocked in 2007 with fingerling rainbow trout are Ryan, Buffalo and Tex Smith Lakes on the Glenn Highway. Old Road and Round lakes off the Lake Louise Road and Two Mile and Three Mile lakes along the Edgerton Highway were also stocked in 2007. These lakes should contain limited number of catchable fish through 2009. For the best rainbow trout fishing head out the McCarthy Road to Strelna, Silver, and Sculpin Lakes which offer the best opportunity to catch more and a possibility to catch larger fish. Silver and Sculpin Lakes were recently stocked with catchable rainbow trout and Strelna Lake has a good population of stocked rainbow trout and coho salmon. These lakes have walk in access only, canoes and small boats can be carried in from the McCarthy Road. Peanut and Tolsona Mountain Lakes are also excellent lakes for rainbow trout but an ATV is helpful to access them. These two lakes are not readily available to the road system and have been stocked in past years and receive little pressure. Stocked and wild lake depth maps can be found at the Lake Data pages.

Arctic Grayling

Rivers to try are the Gulkana River on the Richardson Highway and the Little Nelchina River and Mendeltna Creek on the Glenn Highway. The Little Nelchina River has been running high most of the summer from rains in the Talkeetnas. The Gulkana River is a premier stream for grayling from the outlet at Paxson to the bridge on the Richardson Highway. Wild rainbows may even be caught in the Gulkana River but no retention is allowed and fish must be returned to the water unharmed. Small flies either wet or dry are worth a try. Many of the small lakes on the Lake Louise Road contain grayling populations and on the Nabesna Road, Long Lake and Jack Lake are good bets for grayling. Moose Creek in Glennallen is open to use of bait and this makes for a golden opportunity for teaching younger and inexperienced persons to fish.

Dolly Varden

Rivers and streams to try are the Big and Little Tonsina and the Klutina River along the Richardson Highway.

Filed under: Upper Copper - Upper Susitna | No Comments »

Report from Alaska Fish and Game

Bristol Bay Area

Week of August 6 through August 12

Issued August 6, 2008

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

• Sport fishing for king salmon fishing is now closed throughout Bristol Bay.

• Alagnak River - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game increased the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon from 5 per day to 10 per day in all waters of the Alagnak River drainage effective 12:01 a.m., Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The limit for other salmon, except king and sockeye salmon, remains at 5 per day, 5 in possession, of which only 3 may be coho salmon. These limits are in combination with the more liberal limits for sockeye salmon.

• Naknek River - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game increased the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon from 5 per day to 10 per day in all waters of the Naknek River drainage open to the harvest of salmon effective 12:01 a.m., Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The limit for other salmon, except king and sockeye salmon, remains at 5 per day, 5 in possession. These limits are in combination with the more liberal limits for sockeye salmon.

Fresh waters

Silver Salmon

• Naknek and Alagnak drainages: Sport fishing is reported as fair to good and should continue to be good this week.

• Nushagak drainages: Sport fishing is currently good to very good and will likely improve this week.

• Togiak River and nearby drainages: Sport fishing is reported as fair to good and will likely improve throughout this week.

Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic Grayling

• Alagnak and Naknek drainages: Sport fishing for rainbow trout in the Alagnak is reported as good. On the Naknek, sport fishing remains fair to good for rainbow trout.

• Togiak River and nearby drainages: Sport fishing for Dolly Varden, rainbow trout, and Arctic grayling is reported as very good.

• Wood River Lakes system: Sport fishing for char is reported to be very good to excellent at the outlets of salmon spawning streams as smolt continue to migrate downriver. Try jigging spoons or casting shiny spinners or smolt patterns to imitate outmigrating smolt.

Northern Pike

• Alagnak and Naknek drainages: Angling is reportedly fair to very good. Try casting weedless spoons or large black or purple bunny flies.

• Wood River Lake system: Sport fishing is fair to good along lake and slough shores and in shallow, weedy bays. Again, try casting weedless spoons or stripping large bunny flies.

Salt waters

Halibut

• Nushagak Bay: Sport fishing should remain fair off the coast of Protection Point.

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Report from Alaska Fish and Game

It should be noted that fishing is expected to be extremely poor due to the recent flooding in all areas of the Tanana River drainages. Rivers/Streams

Salmon

Fishing for kings is very slow in the Chena River, and in the Salcha River. The fish counting panels were pulled from the Chena River during the evening of 29 July. The water conditions at the Salcha River counting station have caused the counts to be suspended. You can monitor salmon run numbers on many rivers throughout the state by visiting our Fish Counts page.

The daily bag/possession limit for king salmon in the Chena River is one fish over 20 inches and ten fish 20 inches or less. The Chena River is closed to salmon fishing upstream from the ADF&G markers located 300 feet downstream of the Chena River dam. The Salcha River is closed to salmon fishing upstream of the ADF&G markers located about 2.5 miles upstream of the Richardson Highway Bridge. Fishing from the Richardson Highway Bridge over the Salcha River is prohibited.

Anglers are reminded that both king and chum salmon may be carrying radio tags. These fish will be marked with yellow, pink, or green “spaghetti” tags (so named because they are the size and shape of a strand of spaghetti) near the base of the dorsal fin. Anglers catching a fish with a tag or internal radio transmitter should call Fish and Game, Commercial Fish Division at 459-7274.

Try using brightly colored spoons/spinners, multicolored egg patterns, or Okie Drifters. Bait may be used in both the Chena & Salcha Rivers, but only on single hooks with a gap size greater than 3/4 inch.

Resident Species

Fish for Northern Pike at the mouths of sloughs and in deep, slow-moving holes. Try using daredevils, cyclops, red eyes, or any other flashy spoon. Usually by this time of year George Creek (the outlet of Lake George) is too low for travel into the lake, but because of all the past rain in the Delta area, George Lake should be high enough to allow travel to the lake. George Creek can be expected to drop to normal levels if dry weather prevails in the Delta Area. The pike fishing is usually good at George Lake.

Try fishing Arctic grayling in the upper Chena River, Chatanika River, or the Delta Clearwater River. Remember, however, that the Chena & Delta Clearwater Rivers and all their tributaries are catch & release only for Arctic grayling. Arctic grayling tend to hang out in holes just below fast moving water or riffles. When fly fishing for Arctic grayling, try small dry flies or nymphs. When spin fishing and all else fails with Arctic grayling, try using white twister tails.

Lakes

Stocked lakes are providing some good fishing. The high water produced by the continuous rain showers in the interior is not always conducive to good fishing. If the weather breaks this weekend, fishing should be more productive. Early morning and mid to late evening fishing outings will probably yield the best results.

You can pick up a booklet on the over 100 stocked lakes of the Tanana Valley at the Fairbanks, Delta or Tok ADF&G office. Other stocked lakes brochures include: Fishing the Stocked Lakes of Fort Greely, Fishing Quartz Lake ,and Fishing the Rivers and Lakes of the Upper Copper/Upper Susitina. You can also access these and many other publications on the web.

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Report from Alaska Fish and Game

Prince William Sound and the Copper River Delta Area

Week of August 5 to August 11

Issued August 5, 2008

Emergency Order and regulation reminders

• Emergency Order 2-R-3-03-08 went into effect on May 24, 2008; a sport-fishing guide or sport fishing crewmember working on a charter vessel in the salt waters of Southcentral Alaska may not retain any species of fish while paying clients are on board the vessel. The maximum number of lines that may be fished from a vessel engaged in guided sport fishing in salt waters may not exceed the number of paying clients onboard the vessel.

Fresh waters

Salmon

• Eshamy Creek weir has passed more than 4,000 sockeye salmon as of August 4. This is still slightly below projected escapement. Sockeye salmon and some pink salmon are being seen below the weir and are continuing to move up.

• A few sockeye salmon are still being seen at the Eyak River weir. Very few bright fish are being caught as most fish have turned red.

• McKinley Lake has very few bright sockeye left.

• A few silver salmon have begun to show in Copper River Delta streams, but fishing is slow.

Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

• Cutthroat trout are spreading out more as they are following salmon to their spawning grounds.

• Trout and Dolly Varden can be caught this time of year in Prince William Sound streams where salmon are spawning.

• Dolly Varden are also abundant in Prince William Sound lake systems, where they will be feeding on salmon spawn.

Lake Fishing

• Coghill Lake has lots of red salmon and some pink salmon. High water has pushed most of the remaining red salmon run up into the lake.

• Eshamy Lake fishing is beginning to pick up. We have not reached the peak of this run though it is fast approaching.

Salt waters Halibut & Lingcod

• Halibut fishing is continuing to improve this week in Prince William Sound. Small- and medium-sized halibut have been reported in Orca Bay.

• Valdez Halibut Derby has a new leader with a 251.5 pound halibut caught on Sunday.

• Lingcod of all sizes have been reported throughout PWS.

• Lingcod are feeding on pink salmon and will take large jigs as well as bait herring.

Salmon

• Pink salmon are still be seen and caught around Hartney Bay and Flemming Spit.

• Pink salmon are still being reported around Valdez with some chum salmon mixed in.

• Silver salmon are being reported from Galena Bay on in to Port Valdez. Not a lot of fish yet, but numbers are continuing to increase.

• Expect to see silvers showing up off creek mouths as the peak of this run is fast approaching.

Shellfish

• Passage Canal is still producing shrimp. Pink salmon heads make great bait.

• Whittier shrimpers report good luck in the Port Nellie Juan area.

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Report from Alaska Fish and Game

Kodiak Area

Week of August 4 through August 10

Issued August 5, 2008

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

• Details of all Emergency Orders that have been issued this year can be found online at the “2008 Regulation Changes” link below.

• Fishing for sockeye salmon is closed in the Buskin River drainage.

• The Saltery River drainage bag limit for sockeye salmon has been increased to 10 fish per day and in possession.

• Anglers are reminded that from August 1 – September 15, for streams draining into Monashka and Chiniak Bays, waters above the highway are closed to salmon fishing. This upriver closure does not apply to the Buskin River or Kalsin Pond, which are open to salmon fishing all year.

Fresh waters

Salmon

• The Saltery sockeye return usually ends by early August, but weir counts are still averaging 1,000 fish a day. The weir count as of August 4 was 46,000. The escapement goal range of 15,000 to 30,000 has been exceeded and the bag limit has been increased to 10 sockeye per day. The run should be winding down this week.

• Pink salmon are entering road system streams and the return should peak in mid-August. Pink salmon fishing in the lower Buskin River has been reported as good and the weir count as of August 4 was 9,000 fish.

• Coho (silver) salmon don’t start to show up in road system streams until mid- to late August, however, coho show up in early August around Afognak and Shuyak islands. Afognak, Pauls, and Shuyak bays offer some good coho fishing in early August with returns peaking during the last week of August.

Trout, Dolly Varden

• Dolly Varden are present in most road system streams. Dolly Varden take spinners and flies this time of year.

Salt waters

Halibut

• Halibut fishing is good during August. Some good spots for halibut are Buoy 4 and Cape Chiniak. Herring, salmon heads, and jigs work well for halibut.

Salmon

• Trolling for king salmon was excellent last week and remains good. Coho catches are also picking up.

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Report from Alaska Fish and Game

North Kenai Peninsula Management Area

Week of August 4 to August 10

Issued August 4, 2008

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

At this time, four emergency orders are in effect for this area:

• The most recent emergency order was issued on Monday, August 4, reducing the sockeye salmon bag and possession limit to one fish upstream of the sockeye salmon sonar located at river mile 19 effective at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, August 6. The sockeye salmon sonar counter at river mile 19 is located approximately two river miles below the Sterling Highway bridge-crossing of the Kenai River in Soldotna. Anglers can review pages 48, 52, and 54 of the 2008 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulation Summary booklet for a reference of general river mile (RM) markers for the lower Kenai River.

• Another emergency order was issued on Wednesday, July 30, closing the lower Kenai River to sockeye salmon fishing downstream of the sockeye salmon sonar located at river mile 19 effective at 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 1.

• The two emergency orders issued on July 17 liberalize the Kasilof River sockeye salmon sport fishery and the Kasilof personal-use fishery. The bag limit for sockeye salmon has been increased from 3 per day and in possession to 6 per day and 12 in possession. The personal-use fishery area has been increased to include the Kasilof River downstream of the Sterling Highway bridge. In addition, personal-use fishing from a boat can occur to an ADF&G marker located at river mile 3. These emergency orders expire at 11:59 p.m. August 7. Thereafter, the bag limit will be 3 per day and in possession and the personal-use fishery will close.

• Anglers are reminded that seasonal riverbank closures along the Kenai River are in effect from July 1 through August 15. Anglers are asked to review pages 52 and 53 of the 2008 Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary for Southcentral Alaska to become familiar with these areas.

• In the Kasilof River upstream from the Sterling Highway bridge, sport fishing from a boat is not allowed from August 1 – August 15. A map and regulations for the Kasilof River is located on pages 43 and 44 of the 2008 Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary for Southcentral Alaska. • The Kasilof River personal-use dipnet fishery closes for the year on Thursday, August 7, at 11:59 pm. Please review the personal-use regulations found on pages 16-18 of the 2008 Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary for Southcentral Alaska.

• Anglers planning to fish the Russian River are reminded to: chop filleted fish carcasses into several small pieces (2 inches) and throw the pieces into the moving current of the river to prevent fish carcass build-up along the river. In addition, whenever possible anglers are asked to clean fish at the designated fish cleaning tables.

• The Russian River and Kenai River near the Russian-Kenai river confluence have federal regulations regarding food storage, possession or refuse in the Russian River Angler’s Trail developed recreation area and along the banks of the Russian and Kenai rivers that are part of the Chugach National Forest and Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Anglers are also asked to respect the habitat restoration projects in this area and to stay on newly constructed or established trails. Specific information regarding federal land-use regulations in this area can be found at the Russian River developed campground and Russian River Ferry facilities. Information is also available at the Seward Ranger District, Chugach National Forest Headquarters, and the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters.

Salmon

Kenai River

• In the Kenai River, the wait is over early this year for coho salmon. Coho salmon fishing has been fair to good at times in the lower river. Fishing is expected to improve through the remainder of August. Anglers fishing with salmon roe have been having success.

• Sockeye salmon fishing has been poor to fair recently above river mile 19 because of the low number of sockeye salmon entering the Kenai River each day.

• Information about Kenai River sockeye salmon sonar passage estimates are available via phone at (907) 262-9097 and online at the weir count and sonar estimates Internet site listed below.

Kasilof River

• Coho salmon fishing should improve as the month of August progresses. Currently, few coho have made their way into the river and fishing is reported to be slow.

• Sockeye salmon have been returning to the Kasilof River in fishable numbers for the past month. Information about Kasilof River sockeye salmon sonar passage is now available at the weir count and sonar estimates Internet site listed below and via phone at (907) 262-9097.

• Dipnetting success has been variable depending on influxes of sockeye salmon into the river. Many dipnetters have recently reported slow fishing.

Russian River

• Sockeye salmon fishing in the clear waters of the Russian River and the Kenai River main stem upstream and downstream of the Russian River Ferry crossing is rated as fair to good. The late run of sockeye salmon migrating up the Kenai River has arrived in this area. Anglers should have fair to good success over the remainder of the sockeye season which runs through August 20. The Sanctuary Area is open to fishing providing plenty of room for anglers to fish for late sockeye salmon. Anglers fishing in the upper Kenai River between Sportsman’s and Jim’s Landings are reporting fair fishing for sockeye salmon. Anglers need a boat to access this area of the upper Kenai River to fish for sockeye salmon.

• Coho salmon have already begun to pass through the Russian River weir and are present in the fishery in small numbers.

• Information about late-run sockeye salmon passage at the Russian River weir is available online at the weir count and sonar estimates internet site listed below and via phone at (907) 262-9097.

• Anglers are reminded that the weir at Russian River is located upstream of the fishery and weir counts may not be a good indicator of the numbers of fish present in the Russian River area open to fishing.

Resident Fish — Kenai & Russian rivers

• Rainbow trout are now moving into late-summer feeding patterns. Anglers should fish near spawning aggregates of king and sockeye salmon for the best chance at some fast fishing action. Fishing in both rivers is going to get better as the summer progresses into fall.

• The Kenai River between the upper Killey River and the outlet of Skilak Lake, as well as the upper Kenai River from Skilak Lake upstream to Kenai Lake, has been providing good rainbow trout fishing.

Resident Fish — Kasilof River

• Fishing activity at the Kasilof will be slow until coho salmon arrive in fishable numbers. Anglers interested in targeting Dolly Varden may want to consider fishing the “slack-water” area immediately downstream of the Tustumena Lake outlet, or floating and fishing the river between the slack-water public boat launch and the Sterling Highway bridge public boat launch.

Lake Fishing

• Numerous Kenai Peninsula lakes provide great fishing opportunities. Fishing on many of the Kenai Peninsula area lakes for rainbow trout has been good recently. Anglers are reminded of the new regulation for Hidden Lake; the bag and possession limit for lake trout is one fish.

Northern Pike

• Stormy Lake has northern pike and the lake has good public access. Anglers who are interested in fishing for northern pike on the Kenai Peninsula should try Stormy Lake for northern pike fishing.

• Many other area lakes have northern pike, but public access is limited. Private property owners may allow access, but get permission first.

• Pike can be taken using spears, bow and arrow (with arrow attached by a line), bait, spin, and fly-fishing gear. Try fish-shaped and fish-colored lures and flies.

• There is no closed season for pike and the bag limit is unlimited. Wanton waste laws apply so be sure to use or donate to charity all the pike you harvest.

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Report from Alaska Fish and Game

Northern Cook Inlet

Week of August 6 to August 13

Issued August 6, 2008

Emergency Orders and Regulation Changes

• Fishing with bait is now allowed in the Little Susitna River.

• A section of Fish Creek opens to fishing for salmon (other than king salmon), this Saturday, August 9. This is a weekend-only fishery, open only on Saturday and Sunday, and only from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

• Daily limits at Fish Creek are three salmon per day, of which only two per day can be silver (coho) salmon. Once you keep your bag limit of salmon from Fish Creek, you cannot fish that same day for any species of fish in any waters that are open to salmon fishing.

• In general, daily limits for salmon (other than kings) are three per day, three in possession. At the Eklutna Tailrace and all westside Susitna streams, except Alexander Creek, all three salmon can be silver salmon. At Jim Creek, the Little Susitna River, and streams along the Parks Highway, only two of your three can be silver salmon.

• Motorized watercraft may not be used on Wasilla Creek on Saturday and Sundays, July 15 – August 15.

Salmon

• Weir counts and angler reports indicate a good number of silver salmon entering Northern Cook Inlet streams.

• Fishing at the Eklutna Tailrace for silver salmon is good.

• Silver fishing at Jim Creek has been fair to good.

• Silver salmon fishing is good on the Little Susitna River. An exit poll at the Little Susitna Public Use Facility has recently shown about one fish per angler being caught on average. • Silvers are entering the Deshka River and Alexander Creek. As of August 4, the Deshka weir had passed 7,063 silver salmon.

• Yentna River sloughs and tributaries are producing good numbers of silvers. Lake Creek should provide good fishing this week.

• On the west side of Cook Inlet, silvers are entering the Chuit and Theodore rivers.

• Good numbers of silvers are being caught along the Parks Highway streams, such as Willow, Little Willow, Sheep, Goose, Caswell, and Montana creeks.

• Chums and silvers are present in the Talkeetna River drainage, with the mouth of Clear Creek your best bet.

• Silver salmon are moving through the mouth of Cottonwood Creek.

• A few silvers are being caught in Wasilla Creek, which is open from its mouth upstream to the Alaska Railroad bridge.

Resident Fish

• Resident rainbow trout and Arctic grayling fishing on the Parks Highway streams from Willow Creek north should remain good.

• Remember that a portion of Willow Creek and all of Montana Creek is catch-and-release-only for rainbow trout.

Lake Fishing

• Fishing continues to be excellent in Valley lakes.

• For rainbow trout, try Echo, Loberg, Loon, Diamond, and West Beaver lakes.

• For Arctic char, try Carpenter, Irene, Lynne, Matanuska, and Seventeen-mile Lakes.

• For Arctic grayling, try Canoe, Florence, Lorraine, Lower Bonnie, Mile 180 and Weiner lakes.

• For landlocked salmon, try Diamond, Christiansen, Echo, Kalmbach, and Matanuska Lakes.

Northern Pike

• For road-accessible pike fishing, try just about any lake in the Nancy Lake canoe system, including Nancy Lake. Memory Lake is also road-accessible and fishing for pike has been good. • Pike are also present in the lakes, ponds and sloughs of the Susitna River drainage. Boat-accessible locations for pike fishing include the side sloughs of the Deshka River, Alexander Creek, Fish Creek (Kroto Slough) and Hewitt Lake.

• For fly-in fishing try Alexander, Trapper, Hewitt, Whiskey, Vern and Donkey lakes.

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Report from Alaska Fish and Game

Homer Area

Week of August 5 to August 11

Issued August 5, 2008

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

• The area upstream of the two-mile regulatory markers on the Anchor and Ninilchik Rivers and Deep and Stariski Creeks opened to Dolly Varden and steelhead/rainbow trout fishing August 1.

• Retention of rainbow/steelhead trout is not allowed year-round anywhere on these streams. Rainbow/steelhead may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

• At the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon on the Homer Spit, anglers may no longer fish with weights or bobbers beyond the hook or hooks. The hook or hooks must be the last piece of tackle on the line.

• Tanner crab fishing is open in Cook Inlet. A PERMIT IS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE. Permits are available only at Fish and Game offices in Anchorage, Soldotna and Homer, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Only red salmon may be dipnetted in the China Poot dipnet fishery. All other salmon species must be released alive and unharmed. The last day of the dipnet fishery is Thursday, August 7.

Fresh waters

Salmon

• On the Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik River, anglers can expect fair to good catches of Dolly Varden and pink salmon. Salmon eggs, small clumps of roe, and small spinners are working well for spin-fishing anglers. Fly-fishing anglers are having good success with egg patterns, beads and Muddler Minnow patterns.

• The limit on these streams for Dolly Varden is 2 per day and 2 in possession.

• Anglers fishing the lower sections of the Anchor River and Deep Creek report fair catches of silver salmon, especially around the high tide. Silver fishing should improve in mid-August and fish should be available through Labor Day. The limits for salmon are 3 per day and 3 in possession, only 2 of which can be silver salmon.

• Treble hooks and bait are currently allowed. Try using salmon roe and herring when targeting silver salmon. Size 3 or smaller spinners and spoons are effective lures for salmon and Dolly Varden.

• King salmon fishing is closed in all streams except the Ninilchik River which is open for hatchery kings. Hatchery fish can be recognized by their missing adipose fin and healed fin clip scar. The king salmon run is almost over and few kings are entering the river.

Salt waters

Halibut

• Halibut fishing continues to be good. Best fishing has been 15 to 25 miles west of Homer in waters 100 to 250 feet deep. Fishing is also good near the East Chugach and Barren islands. Although the most halibut are in the 15- to 25- pound range, many anglers are catching much larger fish.

• Circle hooks with herring are the preferred hook style and bait.

• Fishing out of Deep Creek and Anchor Point has also been good. Many boats are fishing in waters between 80 and 130 feet deep, and usually 10 miles or more offshore. Most charters and private boats are bringing back their limits.

• The daily bag limit is 2 halibut, with a possession limit of 4.

Salmon

• Silver salmon fishing is great at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon. Silvers will be available in the Lagoon into September.

• Cured salmon eggs are working well on the incoming tide, but herring also works well. During slack water in the Lagoon, try fishing bait below a bobber.

• The daily bag and possession limit for silver salmon is 6 in the Lagoon area. The Fishing Lagoon is currently closed to snagging.

• Trolling success for king salmon off the south side of Kachemak Bay, Bluff Point and north to Ninilchik has picked up.

• Trollers are catching some silver salmon around the mouth of Kachemak Bay.

• Popular trolling tackle includes herring, hootchies, tube flies, and spoons. Try using dodgers or flashers for extra attraction.

Other salt water fishing

• Lingcod season opened July 1. Many anglers target lingcod near the rock piles and pinnacles by Elizabeth Island and Kennedy Entrance. There is a minimum size limit of 35 inches and a bag limit of 2 per day/2 in possession. A gaff may not be used for any fish intended for release.

Personal Use

• The China Poot personal use dipnet fishery is open through August 7.

• The Kachemak Bay coho salmon gillnet fishery opens August 18. A permit is required and available at the Homer ADF&G office.

Shellfish

• A series of good clamming tides run August 16-20 and August 28-September 1. Remember, the best time is one hour before to two hours after low tide.

• Littleneck (steamer) and butter clams can be found in gravel beaches on the south side of Kachemak Bay from Seldovia to Chugachik Island.

• Subsistence, personal use, and sport fisheries for Tanner crab is open July 15 – March 15 in the waters of Cook Inlet and the North Gulf Coast. A PERMIT IS REQUIRED prior to harvesting. Other Tanner crab regulations are printed on the permit and in a handout available from ADF&G.

• Fisheries for king crab, Dungeness crab and shrimp in Cook Inlet remain closed.

Filed under: Homer | No Comments »

Report from Alaska Fish and Game

North Gulf Coast Area

Week of August 5 to August 11

Issued August 5, 2008

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

• Emergency order 2-R-3-03-08 went into effect on May 24; a sport-fishing guide or sport-fishing crew member working on a charter vessel in the salt waters of Southcentral Alaska may not retain any species of fish while paying clients are onboard the vessel. The maximum number of lines that may be fished from a vessel engaged in guided sport fishing in salt waters may not exceed the number of paying clients on board the vessel.

• Subsistence, personal-use, and sport fisheries for Tanner crab are open July 15 – March 15 in North Gulf Coast waters. A PERMIT IS REQUIRED to participate in these fisheries. Other Tanner crab regulations are printed on the permit and in a handout available from ADF&G in Anchorage and at the Alaska State Troopers post in Seward.

• The new rockfish daily bag limit is 4 per day, of which only 1 may be a non-pelagic (demersal) rockfish.

• All Resurrection Bay waters north of a line from Aialik Cape to Cape Resurrection are closed by regulation to fishing for lingcod. Anglers cannot legally fish for any species of fish inside Resurrection Bay if they possess a lingcod taken elsewhere.

• The Resurrection River drainage downstream of the Seward Highway and Nash Road is open to salmon fishing. Only unbaited, single-hook artificial lures are allowed. The limit is 3 salmon/day and 3 in possession, of which only 2 may be silver salmon. Consult page 58 of the 2008 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary for details.

Halibut

• Halibut fishing in the western Prince William Sound/Montague Island area continues to very good to excellent.

• Inside Resurrection Bay, halibut fishing been fair, but you increase your odds of catching a halibut by fishing in the deep holes inside the bay, or out in the Gulf. Salmon • Silver salmon fishing continues to be good. Try trolling or mooching.

• The 53rd Seward Silver Salmon Derby starts this Saturday, August 9 to August 17.

• King salmon are also being caught by anglers targeting coho salmon.

• Pink salmon are also being picked up by anglers targeting silver salmon. Light spinning gear will make these scrappy fish a lot more fun to catch.

Other salt water fishing

• Rockfish and lingcod fishing remain good.

• In order to keep them, lingcod must be 35 inches in total length or, if the head has been removed, 28 inches from the end of the tail to the front of the dorsal fin.

Shellfish

• The Tanner crab fishery opened July 15 between Gore Point and Cape Fairfield. Do not forget to obtain your permit before heading out with your pots. For more information contact Charlie Trowbridge in the Division of Commercial Fisheries Homer Area Office at 907-235-8191 or go to the Cook Inlet Tanner Crab Fishery Update page at http://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/region2/shellfsh/lci_tan.php

• The personal-use shrimp-pot fishery is open between Aialik Cape and Gore Point. To participate in this fishery you must be an Alaska resident with a current sport-fishing license or ADF&G PID, and you need a permit. Permits can be obtained at the Anchorage, Homer, or Soldotna ADF&G offices. They can also be obtained at the Alasak State Troopers post in Seward.

• Check Page 56 of the 2008 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary for regulations on this fishery, and page 63 for shrimp pot requirements.

• For more information pertaining to the personal-use shrimp pot fishery, call the ADF&G office in Homer at 907-235-8191.

Fresh waters

Salmon

• Expect slow fishing in Resurrection River.

• Silver fishing along the beaches is slow with the occasional fish being harvested.

• Pink salmon are also being caught around the Lowell Point area.

Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic Grayling

• Dolly Varden fishing should be picking up in the streams of Resurrection Bay.

• Try egg patterns or spinners with light tackle.

Northern Pike

• Northern pike are not native to Southcentral Alaska. Please report the capture of any pike to ADF&G. Do not release any pike that you have caught.

Lake Fishing

• Stocked grayling in First Lake should produce some good fishing on light tackle. Fly-fishers should have success using small, dark patterns. If you prefer spin fishing, a #2 spinner is the best all-around size.

Helpful Internet Links Area web page: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Management/Areas.cfm/FA/anchNGC.manage

Fishing regulations: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/reghome.cfm

Division of Alaska Wildlife Troopers: www.dps.state.ak.us/AWT/

Emergency Orders: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/eonr/index.cfm?region=Region%202%2D

Southcentral Fish identification: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/regulations/salmonid.pdf

Rockfish identification: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/regulations/rockfishID.pdf

Weir counts and sonar estimates: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Region2/Escapement/HTML/query.cfm

River levels: aprfc.arh.noaa.gov/

Fish stocking update: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/Hatchery/Stocking_search/HTML/stock_search.cfm

Maps to stocked lakes: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/Hatchery/index.cfm/FA/stocking.search

Informational brochures: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/region2/pubs.cfm

Fishing in bear country: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/regulations/bears.cfm

OEO/ADA statement: www.adfg.state.ak.us/oeostate.php

Filed under: Resurrection Bay | No Comments »

Report from Alaska Fish and Game

Anchorage Area

Week of August 5 to August 11

Issued August 5, 2008

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

• All Anchorage-area streams are closed to king salmon fishing.

• Emergency Order No. 2-RT-2-04-08 prohibits the retention of rainbow trout from Campbell Creek and Chester Creek (including University Lake) drainages.

• Emergency Order number 2-RT-2-05-08 prohibits the retention of rainbow trout from the Sixmile Creek Drainage of Elmendorf Air Force Base.

• Campbell Creek is open to silver salmon fishing July 25 - October 1, between Dimond Blvd. and C Street.

• Campbell Creek is open to silver salmon fishing August 5 - October 1, C Street upstream to ADF&G markers near Shelikof Street, and between ADF&G markers on the upstream side of the Lake Otis Parkway bridge to ADF&G markers near Piper Street.

Fresh waters

Salmon

• Ship Creek silver salmon fishing continues to be fair to good. Anglers are catching fish on corky and yarn combinations, salmon roe, and spinners.

• Fishing on Bird Creek has been productive for pink salmon with some silvers showing up in the fishery.

• Silver fishing on Campbell Creek is expected to be fair to good.

• California and Ingram Creeks are producing pink and chum salmon. No reports of silver salmon showing in these fisheries yet.

• Be smart when fishing – do not let bears associate anglers with fish or food. We recommend that you take each fish up to your vehicle after you catch it, and clean your fish at home. Please keep all bait, food, and drink in your backpack, and wear your backpack. Better yet, please keep food and drink in your vehicle.

• Report poachers (and vehicle license plates, if possible) to Fish and Wildlife Safeguard at 1-800-478-3377.

Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic Grayling

• Campbell and Chester Creeks will not be stocked this summer and will be catch-and-release for rainbow trout all year.

• Expect fair to good fishing in Chester and Campbell Creeks for Dolly Varden and rainbow trout. Try small spinners and single egg patterns behind spawning salmon.

• Be bear aware when fishing this drainage.

Northern Pike

• Local pike fisheries include Sand, Lower Fire, and Cheney lakes. Anglers fishing pike in these lakes should expect fair fishing.

• Streamer fly patterns, large spoons, and herring chunks fished below bobbers or on the bottom are all effective for pike. Remember to use steel leaders and keep fingers away from sharp pike teeth while removing hooks.

• Try fishing in the evening. A little patience may be required to hook one of these feisty fish.

Lake Fishing

• Check the stocking web page (below).

• Some large Arctic char have reportedly been caught by anglers in the deep waters of Sand Lake. You may also want to try Campbell Point Lake for these fish, however, there have been no reported catches as of yet.

• Fishing in locally stocked lakes has been good, especially with the cooler weather. • Remote lakes: Symphony and Rabbit Lakes are ice-free. These lakes require lengthy, scenic hikes, but the solitude and fishing can be worth the journey. Salt waters Hooligan (smelt, eulachon)

• This personal-use fishery closed June 15.

Helpful Internet Links Area web page: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Management/areas.cfm/FA/anchArea.manage

Fishing regulations: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/reghome.cfm

Division of Alaska Wildlife Troopers: www.dps.state.ak.us/AWT/

Emergency Orders: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/eonr/index.cfm?region=Region%202%2D

Southcentral Fish identification: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/regulations/salmonid.pdf

Rockfish identification: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/regulations/rockfishID.pdf

Weir counts and sonar estimates: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Region2/Escapement/HTML/query.cfm

River levels: aprfc.arh.noaa.gov/

Fish stocking update: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/Hatchery/Stocking_search/HTML/stock_search.cfm

Maps to stocked lakes: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/Hatchery/index.cfm/FA/stocking.search

Informational brochures: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/region2/pubs.cfm

Fishing in bear country: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/regulations/bears.cfm

OEO/ADA statement: www.adfg.state.ak.us/oeostate.php

Filed under: Anchorage | No Comments »