Bear Cove To Open Again For Sportfishing (Updated)

The following press release is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Beginning Saturday, July 14, 2018 the saltwater area of Bear Cove near Medvejie Hatchery is open to sport fishing. Bear Cove was closed to fishing on June 20 for the protection of king salmon broodstock at Medvejie Hatchery.

Since this closure, enough broodstock has been secured to allow for fishing opportunity again. Anglers are reminded that snagging in Bear Cove is not allowed east of a line between ADF&G markers.

Update: Tackle restrictions on several rivers:

(Homer) – To protect returning king salmon and fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is implementing the following sport fishing restriction effective 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 16 through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, July 31, 2018. Sport fishing gear is limited to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure on the Anchor River, Deep Creek, Stariski Creek, and the Ninilchik River drainages.

“With the current low king salmon returns, gear restrictions are necessary to protect upstream migrating king salmon needed for escapement needs,” stated Area Management Biologist Carol Kerkvliet. “To minimize the shifting effort due to conservation actions for the Anchor River and Ninilchik River, it is warranted to restrict gear on Deep Creek and Stariski Creek, as well. Anglers are still allowed to fish for hatchery king salmon using one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure.”

In conjunction with this restriction, a sport fishing regulation closure was issued closing king salmon fishing within the conservation zones surrounding the Anchor River, Stariski Creek, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River. King salmon incidentally caught while fishing for other fish may not be removed from the water and must be immediately released. Anglers can review page 74 of the 2018 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for additional information on the conservation zones.