Seward Lagoon Youth-Only Coho Fishery Will Be Open Through October 5

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

Seward Lagoon Youth-Only Coho Salmon Fishery Extended through October 5

(Seward) – To provide youth anglers 15 years of age and younger additional opportunity to harvest coho salmon returning to the Seward Lagoon, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is extending the season of the youth-only fishery in Seward through 11:59 p.m. Monday, October 5, 2026. The Seward Lagoon and waters draining out of the Seward Lagoon (outfall stream) remain closed to anglers 16 years of age and older.

“The Seward Lagoon is stocked each year with coho salmon to create additional sport fishing opportunities in Resurrection Bay,” stated Assistant Area Management Biologist Donald Arthur. “Since the lagoon is a terminal stocking location with little natural reproduction and is not generally used to collect hatchery broodstock, these fish are intended to provide harvest opportunity. Coho are just starting to show up in good numbers, so extending the youth-only fishery through October 5 gives young anglers more time to enjoy this unique opportunity. We encourage families to get out and take advantage of the late-season coho.”

Adults may assist youth anglers, but the fish becomes part of the bag limit of the angler who hooked the fish, which must be the youth angler. Each youth angler is allowed up to two coho salmon per day and may use either bait or lures. Snagging is not permitted in fresh water. While a canoe or kayak can help youth anglers reach more fish, there are also plenty of accessible spots to fish from shore around the Seward Lagoon.

For additional information, please contact the Assistant Area Management Biologist Donnie Arthur at (907) 267-2225or Area Management Biologist Brittany Blain-Roth at (907) 267-2186.