Area Sport Fishing Reports
North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay

June 26, 2024

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

• Sockeye fishing in the Resurrection River and Salmon Creek has been slow. The creeks have been high and dirty, which has made sight fishing difficult, and fish are only moving into the creeks in small pulses.
  • Reminder: Snagging is not permitted in freshwater and salmon must be hooked in the mouth.

Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic Char

• Dolly Varden and rainbow trout are present in Seward streams. Sea-run Dolly Varden are entering the creeks in Seward; however, the high and dirty water has made for slow fishing.
• Dolly Varden can be caught in the streams and off the beach by fishing small spinners and spoons or fly fishing with smolt patterns.

Saltwater Fishing

Halibut

• Halibut fishing has been good to excellent for anglers traveling outside of Resurrection Bay. Anglers have been returning with limits of halibut. Fishing a large herring or a salmon belly on a circle hook while chumming has been the best method for halibut.
• Halibut are being caught in good numbers inside Resurrection Bay. Anglers have had success drifting jigs tipped with herring near drop-offs and kelp beds near the outer portions of Resurrection Bay.

Lingcod

• Lingcod season is closed until July 1.

Rockfish

• Rockfish catches have been excellent near the entrance of Resurrection Bay and along the Gulf Coast.

Other Finfish

• Pacific (gray) cod and pollock have been plentiful this year and fishing has been excellent inside Resurrection Bay. Try fishing with jigs or a small chunk of herring right off the bottom near the Sea Life Center, off Lowell Point, or the mouths of Lowell (waterfall) or Tonsina creeks.

Salmon

• King salmon fishing has been fair inside Resurrection Bay. Anglers are picking up king salmon while trolling near Caines Head and while jigging for other species.
• There have been a few reported catches of coho salmon from the outer portions of Resurrection Bay and in the outside waters. Fishing will start of slow as it is still early.
• Anglers are still reporting catches of a few king salmon at the mouth of the Seward Lagoon outfall, but fishing has been slow.
• Fishing has been slow for the youth-only fishery in the Seward Lagoon. Some king salmon are present in the lagoon and more will continue to push in.
  • Reminder: The Seward Lagoon and outfall stream youth-only fishery for king salmon began on June 17 and will end on June 30. This fishery is open to anglers 15 years of age or younger. See page 73 of 2024 Southcentral Regulation Booklet.
• Sockeye salmon fishing at the mouth of the Resurrection River and Spring Creek has slowed down considerably over the last week. Sockeye will continue to be available for harvest in saltwater by dedicated anglers. Anglers are reporting the occasional tide that will produce a few fish, but limits are unlikely.

Local Lakes

First Lake was stocked with rainbow trout last month, but fishing has been slow as fish have been picked out over the last few weeks. Try casting small spinners or fishing bait under a bobber.

Special species information

New in regulation as of 2024: the rockfish bag and possession limits in North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay to three per day and six in possession of which only one per day, two in possession can be nonpelagic.

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-KS-8-29-24 extends the youth-only king salmon fishery in the Seward Lagoon and outfall stream through July 31^st, 2024.
• Emergency Order 2-RS-8-23-24: increases the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon from three to 12 in the fresh waters downstream from the Seward Highway and downstream from Nash Road to the saltwater markers and six to 12 in the salt waters of Resurrection Bay north of a point from Caines Head to the northern point of Thumb Cove.

Don't forget to purchase your 2024 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 it off from the comfort of your own home. Make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2024 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.

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