Halibut Fishing Picking Up In North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay

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

North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay Fishing Report

June 09, 2022

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 

Hooligan

• Hooligan has been reported to be caught in the Resurrection River.
• Dipnetting for hooligan (smelt) is closed in saltwater. Freshwater dipnetting for hooligan (smelt) opened April 1 and will remain open until June 15. There is no bag or possession limit.
• This is a personal use fishery and only Alaska residents can participate. No permit is required, but you do need a valid 2022 Alaska resident sport fishing license or ADF&G Permanent fishing license ID card with you.
• For additional information on dipnetting for hooligan see page 16 of the 2021 Southcentral Alaska

Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden

• Try creek mouths for Dolly Varden this time of the year. Casting small spinners and spoons off the beach can provide some good action.
• If you are fly fishing, fry and smolt patterns are good to use in Seward area streams this time of the year.

Salmon

• There are no freshwater drainages in Resurrection Bay open to salmon fishing at this time of the year. Opening day in select areas is June 16.

Saltwater Fishing 

Halibut/Lingcod/Rockfish

• Halibut fishing has been reported as fair to good. To find those larger halibut anglers are reporting going traveling further out. Many anglers are headed all the way to Prince William Sound after larger halibut if the weather allows. A few halibut have also been reported as being caught when trolling for salmon in the Resurrection Bay.
• Rockfish limits year-round are four fish per day, eight in possession of which only one per day and two in possession can be nonpelagic rockfish. Check the 2022 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for species identification information.
  • A deepwater release mechanism is required on all sport fishing vessels in Alaska, and they must be used to release rockfish back down to a depth of capture or 100 feet, whichever is shallower. Ever heard of the deepwater release? check out our webpage for more info.
• Lingcod fishing will open on July 1.

Salmon

• The king salmon limit in Resurrection Bay is currently two per day, any size. There is no annual or seasonal king salmon limit in effect, and there is no king salmon harvest reporting requirement, but a king stamp is required.
• King fishing has picked up. A few fish have been caught from shore over the last few days. Anglers trolling and jigging are also reporting success catching kings.
• Sockeye salmon are being caught at the head of the bay. Fishing has been reported as good. Fishing should be improving in the coming weeks. In the saltwaters of Resurrection Bay, the bag and possession limit is six salmon (except for king salmon).

Local Lakes 

• No new reports from Troop Lake. Fishing should be good. It can make for a nice little day hike and fishing adventure.

Emergency Orders 

Please review the Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

• There are currently no emergency orders for the North Gulf Coast Management Area.

Don’t forget to bring your 2022 sport fishing license and king stamp! Purchase your 2022 sport fishing license and king stamp through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home. Also, make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2022 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing in before you head out.

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