Area Sport Fishing Reports
Bristol Bay

July 9, 2024

Freshwater Fishing

• Fishing for king salmon on the Nushagak River was reported to be fair to good, with the fishery restricted to catch and release for the remainer of the season.
• An EO was issued liberalizing the sockeye salmon sport fishery to 10 fish for both the Nushagak-Mulchatna River Drainage and Wood River Drainage.
• Togiak River and nearby drainages: It is still early for kings in the Togiak. Although sport fishing is currently reported as fair to good.
• King salmon fishing in the Alagnak and Naknek rivers should be at the peak of the run and fishing is reported to be fair. Spinners, spoons, plugs, and bait (where permitted) should work well.

Saltwater Fishing

• Halibut fishing near Protection Point is reported to be poor to fair with mixed success.
• Halibut fishing near Togiak Bay is reported to be good.

Local Lakes

Wood River Lakes System: Fishing remains very good at the outlets of larger tributaries of the lakes

Special Species Information

• Sockeye salmon continue to show up in large numbers and should be abundant enough to target in most Bristol Bay drainages. Standard “flossing” methods that are applied to fishing sockeye throughout the state should be productive in Bristol Bay as well.

• Sport fishing for northern pike, Arctic char, rainbow trout, and Arctic grayling is reported to be good throughout Bristol Bay. Spinners, spoons and flies should work well until salmon spawning begins in late July or mid-August, and egg imitations become more productive.

Emergency Orders

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

• Emergency Order 2-RS-5-34-24 increased the bag and possession limits for sockeye salmon to 10 fish in all waters of the Nushagak-Mulchatna River drainage, effective through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, December 31, 2024. The bag and possession limit for other salmon, except king and sockeye salmon, remains at five fish. These limits for salmon, other than king and sockeye salmon, are in combination (chum, pink, coho salmon combined to total a bag limit of five fish) with the more liberal limits for sockeye salmon.
• Emergency Order 2-RS-5-33-24 increased the bag and possession limits for sockeye salmon to 10 fish in all waters of the Wood River drainage, effective through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, December 31, 2024. The bag and possession limit for other salmon, except king and sockeye salmon, remains at five fish. These limits for salmon, other than king and sockeye salmon, are in combination with the more liberal limits for sockeye salmon.
• Emergency Order 2-K-5-31-24 prohibits the retention of king salmon of any size and the use of bait and multiple hooks effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, July 3 through the remainder of the king salmon season, which closes at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, 2024. King salmon may not be retained or possessed, this fishery is limited to catch-and-release only. King salmon caught while fishing may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. Only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure is allowed.

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 ADF&G Bristol Bay Area Office at (907) 842-2427.