Late Fall/Early Winter Update - (posted October 16, 2003)

Halibut

• Very few boats are able to leave port in October and November, due to wintry weather and heavy seas. When a rare calm day does occur, halibut anglers will find fish mostly in the 10-30 lb. range. The daily bag limit is 2 halibut per person. The possession limit is 4 halibut.
• Halibut fishing is closed January 1-31.

Fresh Waters - Anchor River, Deep Creek, Ninilchik River

• Starting September 1, no bait or treble/multiple hooks are allowed in these streams. Legal gear is single-hook, unbaited artificial lures/flies. A single hook has only 1 point.
• There may be a few steelhead trout lingering in the Anchor River in early October, but typically the run is over by then. The steelhead/rainbow trout fishery is catch-and-release only. Steelhead/rainbow trout may not be removed from the water before they are released. Dolly Varden also continue to be available through ice-up and provide excellent action on light tackle until it's just too cold to fish.

Salt Water Salmon Fishing

• Some anglers find success trolling for "feeder" king salmon throughout late fall-early winter. Feeder kings are fish that are fattening up, preparing for their eventual return to their home stream. Plastic hootchies or tube flies in green, chartreuse, or blue trolled behind dodgers/flashers are often effective, as are variously-colored spoons and spinners. Dressing the tackle with herring can improve success.
• South of the latitude of Bluff Point (59&#deg 40' N), the limit is 2 per day/2 in possession, any size, and there is no seasonal limit on king salmon taken from salt waters from October 1- March 31.
• North of the latitude of Bluff Point, the limit is 1 per day/1 in possession, any size, and the limit of 5 kings over 20 inches is in effect throughout the year. You must record your harvest on the back of your license (unless you are required to have a harvest record card).
• Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon - The salmon runs here are over for the year. Check back in May for early-run king salmon action.

Other Saltwater Opportunities

• Rockfish are occasionally caught in Lower Cook Inlet while trolling for king salmon. Rockfish may be kept year-round. The daily bag limit in Cook Inlet is five rockfish, only one of which may be a non-pelagic species. Check the rockfish identification pages in the regulation booklet to identify non-pelagic species.
• Lingcod fishing is open through December 31, with special restrictions in effect. The limit in Cook Inlet waters west of Gore Point is two lingcod daily or in possession. All lingcod must be at least 35 inches long, and must be landed by hand or with a net (no gaffs).
• Sharks are rarely caught in Cook Inlet fisheries except in the summer. The season is open year-round. The daily bag limit is one shark of any species, and there is an annual limit of two sharks of any species. All harvested sharks must be recorded immediately upon capture on your license or harvest record card. The most common sharks are the spiny dogfish (also called "sand sharks"), salmon shark, and sleeper shark. Sleeper sharks are generally inedible and should be released. Salmon sharks have a high urea content and should be gutted and bled upon capture to ensure that the meat is edible. During the months when ADF&G Port samplers are collecting data (about the last week of May to the first week of September), please do not remove the head or tail until they have had a chance to measure your fish.
• Good fishing for pollock and cod can also be found throughout Kachemak Bay. Other species that may be caught include Dolly Varden, greenling, Irish lord, flounder, sole, and skate.

Shellfish

• Shrimp - The shrimp fishery is closed year-round.
• Crab - The Tanner, Dungeness and king crab fisheries in Cook Inlet and the outer coast of the Kenai Peninsula (including Resurrection Bay) are closed.
• Clams - Although there may be some excellent minus tide series in late fall/early winter, only the hardiest clammers brave the weather and large breakers.
• You will need a harvest permit, along with a sport fishing license, to dig hardshell clams in Kachemak Bay. Butter and littleneck clams have different size and limit restrictions. Pictures in the sport fishing regulation book can help you learn to recognize the differences to avoid taking undersized clams.
• Bury your discarded clams neck up - they can't do it themselves and will die. Additionally, it is a good practice to fill in any holes dug in search of clams for the protection of the other beach creatures.
• Only a sport fishing license is required to harvest razor clams. There are literally miles of good razor clam beaches available from Bluff Point north to the mouth of the Kenai River. The limit is the first 60 razor clams dug. All razor clams dug must be kept.
• Occasionally there are PSP advisories issued by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. Contact them at (907) 269-7640, or check out their PSP pages on the Internet.

For more information on fishing contact the Homer ADF&G Area Office at (907) 235-8191.

Halibut, Rockfish, and Lingcod

• Halibut anglers are catching fish from a wide variety of locations. At this time of year it can take longer to locate halibut because they move to deeper waters. Try fishing off Seldovia or in the "compass rose" vicinity in 100 feet of water. You might also try for halibut in waters off the stream mouths where spawned-out salmon are washing into salt waters.
• Most of the halibut harvested are 15 - 25 pounds, though the occasional 100-pound fish or even larger may still be caught.
• Anglers typically use herring on a large circle hook for best results. The daily bag limit for halibut is 2 fish, and the possession limit is 4 fish. Fish that are kept apply to the bag limit of the person who originally hooks them.
• Lingcod anglers are having success on the outer Kenai Peninsula, and around the Chugach Islands and surrounding waters, jigging in 60 - 150 feet of water. The bag and possession limit is two fish, and they must be at least 35 inches long. Lingcod must be landed by hand or with a net (no gaffs).
• The rockfish found in lower Cook Inlet and Kachemak Bay are mostly black and dusky rockfish. Anglers trolling for salmon often catch these two species of pelagic rockfish incidentally.

Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River

• Remember that through Dec. 31, all flowing waters of the Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik River are single-hook, no bait. The entire lengths of these streams are open to fishing, but salmon fishing is allowed only in the lower 2 miles of each stream.
• Fair numbers of silvers are still available in the lower 2-mile sections of Anchor River and Deep Creek. Cast small to medium spinners or brightly-colored fly patterns for the best results. Daily limits for salmon are 3 per day/3 in possession, and only 2 per day/2 in possession of the 3 can be silver salmon
• Dolly Varden continue to be caught in these three streams in fair numbers. Daily limit for Dollies is 2 per day/2 in possession.
• Steelhead are now entering the rivers. Steelhead action is good on the lower portion of the Anchor River, and above the 2 mile marker of Deep Creek. Please be aware of the differences between a silver salmon and a steelhead. Rainbow/steelhead trout may not be retained in these streams.

Saltwater Salmon Fishing

• The late-run silvers are in the Fishing Lagoon in good numbers and fishing has been good to excellent. Fishing is expected to remain good until mid-September. Best results involve drifting salmon eggs near the inlet channel on the flooding and ebbing tides. Medium-sized spinners are working well inside the Lagoon.
• Snagging is not legal in this area at this time. An Emergency Order must be issued to allow snagging in the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon. Watch the Southcentral Region Emergency Order/News Release pages, or call the recorded fishing report for the Homer area at (907) 267-2508 in Anchorage, or (907) 235-6930 in Homer.
• The daily bag and possession limit for silver salmon is 6 in the Fishing Lagoon area, which is described on page 14 of the Southcentral regulation booklet.
• Saltwater Cook Inlet feeder king salmon fishing is available around Bluff Point, Point Pogibshi, and other nearshore locations in Kachemak Bay. Fishing has been spotty. This time of year, successful fishing depends on the weather.
• Saltwater trolling in the Bluff Point and Anchor Point areas for silvers is past its peak, since most silvers returning to Cook Inlet have entered their spawning tributaries.

Shellfish

• The next series of good clamming tides runs September 8-11 then Sept. 26-30.
• A fishing license and a permit are required for littleneck and butter clams within Kachemak Bay. You must have both your license and the permit with you while digging, and you must record your harvest on the permit before leaving the beach. The permit is free, and is available at Fish & Game offices and major license vendors. Please fill in your holes and rebury, neck up, the clams that you don't take or the clams will die.
• The daily limit for razor clams is the first 60 clams dug. No permit is required to take razor clams, but you do need your 2003 fishing license with you on the beach.
• No crab or shrimp fisheries are currently open in Cook Inlet.

Halibut, Rockfish, and Lingcod

• Anglers have been doing well, and are catching their halibut from a wide variety of locations. This time of year, it can take longer to locate halibut, because they are migrating to deeper waters. Try fishing off Seldovia, or in the "compass rose" area, in 100 feet of water. You might also try off stream mouths where spawned-out salmon are washing out into salt waters.
• Most of the harvested halibut are 15-25 pounds, though the occasional 100-pound fish, or even larger, may still be caught.
• Anglers typically use herring on a large circle hook for best results. The daily bag limit for halibut is 2 fish, and the possession limit is 4 fish. Fish that are kept apply to the bag limit of the person who hooked them.
• Lingcod anglers are jigging in 60-150 feet of water and finding fish on the outer Kenai Peninsula, and in the Chugach islands area and their surrounding waters. The bag and possession limit is two fish, and they must be at least 35 inches long. Lingcod must be landed by hand or with a net (no gaffs).
• The rockfish found in lower Cook Inlet and Kachemak Bay are mostly black and dusky rockfish. Anglers often catch these two species of pelagic rockfish while trolling for salmon.

Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River

• Remember that through Dec. 31, all flowing waters of the Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik River are single-hook, no bait. The entire lengths of these streams are open to fishing, but salmon fishing is allowed only in the lower 2 miles of each stream.
• Silver salmon fishing conditions are ideal in these streams. Good numbers of silvers are still available in the lower 2-mile sections of the Anchor River and Deep Creek.
• Cast small to medium single-hook spinners or brightly colored fly patterns for best results.
• Dolly Varden continue to be caught in these three streams in fair numbers.
• Daily limit for Dollies is 2 per day/2 in possession, any size. Daily limits for salmon are 3 per day/3 in possession, and of your 3 salmon, only 2 per day and in possession may be silvers.
• There is also lots of rainbow trout activity on the Anchor River.
• Steelhead are now entering the rivers. Please be aware of the differences between a silver salmon and a steelhead. Silvers may be kept, but rainbow/steelhead trout may not be kept, and must be immediately released without removing them from the water.

Saltwater Salmon

• The late-run silvers are in at the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon in good numbers and fishing has been good to excellent. Fishing is expected to remain good until mid-September.
• The daily bag and possession limit for silver salmon is 6 in the vicinity of the Fishing Lagoon. Read page 14 of the Southcentral Alaska regulation book for a description of Fishing Lagoon area.
• Best results involve drifting salmon eggs near the inlet channel on the flooding and ebbing tides. Medium-sized spinners are also working well inside the lagoon.
• Feeder king salmon fishing is available in the salt waters around Bluff Point, Point Pogibshi, and other nearshore locations in Kachemak Bay. Fishing has been spotty. This time of year successful fishing depends on the weather. Fresh waters are closed to king salmon fishing.
• Trolling for silver salmon off the end of the Homer Spit was excellent last week. Trolling for silvers near the Bluff Point and Anchor Point areas is past its peak, since most of those silvers have entered their spawning rivers.

Shellfish

• The next series of good clamming tides runs September 8-11.
• Both a fishing license and permit are required to take littleneck and butter clams within Kachemak Bay. You must have both your license and your permit with you while digging, and you must record your harvest on your permit before you leave the beach. The permit is free, and is available at Fish & Game offices and major license vendors. Please fill in your holes, and rebury, neck up, the clams that you don't take, or the clams will die.
• No permit is required for razor clams, but you still need your fishing license with you on the beach. The daily limit for razor clams is the first 60 clams dug.
• No crab or shrimp fisheries are currently open in Cook Inlet.

Halibut, Rockfish, and Lingcod

• Halibut fishing remains fair. Limits are being taken, and fish range from 25 -150 pounds. Best catches are in 300 - 400 feet of water. There is fair action in the Seldovia area in 200 feet of water, with most catches in the 15-pound range. There are still charters running regularly through Labor Day, and after, depending on the weather.
• Rockfish may be caught in Lower Cook Inlet, especially while trolling for silver salmon. The daily bag limit in Cook Inlet waters is 5 rockfish, of which only 1 can be "non-pelagic." Check the rockfish identification pictures on page 10 of 2003 Southcentral Alaska regulation booklet to identify non-pelagic species.
• A new rockfish brochure is available free from Alaska Sea Grant.
• Lingcod fishing is best well beyond the waters of Kachemak Bay, in the waters of the outer Kenai Peninsula, around the Chugach and Elizabeth islands, or near the Barren Islands. Minimum legal size is 35 inches, with a bag and possession limit of 2 fish per day. Lingcod may be landed only by hand or with a landing net - lingcod may not be gaffed.
• Many spiny dogfish (a type of shark), and Pacific cod are found in offshore waters. If you do not intend to keep these species, they should be immediately released unharmed. If you retain any type of shark, you must record your catch on the back of your license or Harvest Record Card. The annual limit for sharks is 2 (any species). There is no bag or possession limit for Pacific cod.

Anchor River, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik River

• Beginning September 1, all flowing waters of the Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik River, go to no-bait and single-hook through Dec. 31. Stream anglers can now fish the entire Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik River systems, but salmon may be taken only in the lower 2-mile sections.
• Recent rains have raised water levels and cooled the water. Fishing conditions are great for silver salmon and anglers are catching limits. Daily limits for salmon are 3 per day/3 in possession, with only 2 per day and 2 in possession being silver salmon.
• Drift eggs or cast small to medium spinners or brightly colored fly patterns for best results. The run is at its peak, but silvers will be available through Labor Day.
• Dolly Varden continue to be caught in these three streams in good numbers. Daily limit for Dollies is 2 per day/2 in possession.
• Steelhead are starting to enter the rivers. Please be aware of the differences between a silver salmon and a steelhead. Rainbow/steelhead trout may not be retained in these streams.

Saltwater Salmon

• The late-run silvers are in the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon in good numbers and fishing has been good to excellent. Even though this fishery is at its peak, fishing is expected to remain good until mid-September.
• The daily bag and possession limit for silver salmon is 6 in the Fishing Lagoon area, which is defined on page 14 of the Southcentral Alaska regulation book.
• Best results involve drifting salmon eggs near the inlet channel on the flooding and ebbing tides. Medium-sized spinners are working well inside the Lagoon.
• Saltwater Cook Inlet feeder king salmon fishing is available around Bluff Point, Point Pogibshi, and other nearshore locations in Kachemak Bay.
• Recently, trolling for both king and silver salmon has been spotty in the Bluff Point and Anchor Point areas. Some pink salmon are being picked up. This time of year, marine waters fishing success depends on the weather.

Shellfish

• The next series of good clamming tides runs August 27-30, then September 8-11.
• A fishing license and permit is required to take littleneck and butter clams within Kachemak Bay and you must have both with you while digging, and you must record your harvest on the permit before you leave the beach.
• The permit is free, and is available at Fish & Game offices and major license vendors. Please fill in your holes, and rebury, neck up, the clams that you don't take, or those clams will die.
• The daily limit for razor clams is the first 60 clams dug. No permit is required to take razor clams, but you do need your 2003 sport fishing license with you on the beach.
• No crab or shrimp fisheries are currently open in Cook Inlet.

Current Update - August 20, 2003

The Department of Environmental Conservation issued a news release warning of elevated PSP levels in mussels commercially harvested from a section of Kachemak Bay. For more information about the warning, contact Mike Ostasz, DEC Division of Environmental Health in Anchorage at (907) 269-7638 or click link to view DEC News Release: http://www.state.ak.us/dec/mussel8_03.pdf

Halibut, Rockfish, and Lingcod

• Because of a long stretch of bad weather and rough seas, halibut fishing in Lower Cook Inlet dropped off considerably last week. Few vessels were venturing out, and those who fished close to port found few fish, mostly small halibut less than 15 pounds. Better weather will improve opportunities for late-season halibut, which can still be caught in the usual places, though success will be slower.
• Anglers trolling for silver salmon may catch a few rockfish in Lower Cook Inlet. These fish are usually black or dusky rockfish, which have a good likelihood of survival if released. The daily bag limit in Cook Inlet waters is 5 rockfish, of which only 1 can be non-pelagic. To help anglers identify non-pelagic rockfish, there are rockfish illustrations on page 10 of the 2003 Southcentral Alaska regulation booklet.
• A new rockfish brochure is also available free of charge from Alaska Sea Grant.
• Lingcod fishing is best for anglers who are able to, when the weather allows, access the waters of the outer Kenai Peninsula. The best areas are well beyond Kachemak Bay: around the Chugach and Elizabeth islands, or out to the Barren islands. Minimum legal size is 35 inches, with a bag and possession limit of 2 fish per day. Lingcod may not be gaffed; they must only be landed by hand or with a landing net.
• Spiny dogfish and Pacific cod remain abundant in offshore waters. If you do not intend to keep these species, they should be immediately released unharmed. If you retain a shark, you must record your catch on the back of your license or Harvest Record Card, and the annual limit is 2 sharks of any species. There is no bag or possession limit for Pacific cod.

Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik River

• Stream anglers can now fish the entire Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik River systems, but salmon may be taken only in the lower 2-mile sections.
• Recent rains have raised water levels and cooled the water, both of which silvers prefer. Fishing conditions are great for silver salmon and anglers are catching daily bag limits of 2 silvers from these rivers.
• Drift eggs or cast small to medium spinners or brightly colored fly patterns for best results. The run is at its peak, but silvers will be available through Labor Day.
• Dolly Varden continue to be caught in these three streams in good numbers. Daily limit for Dollies is 2 per day/2 in possession, any size.
• Steelhead are starting to enter the rivers. Please be aware of the differences between a silver salmon and a steelhead. Rainbow/steelhead trout may not be retained in these streams.

Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon, Saltwater Salmon Fishing, and Tutka Bay

• Anglers continue to have a great time at the Fishing Hole!
• Silvers are being caught with spinners or salmon eggs. The early run is subsiding and late-run silvers are starting to arrive. Expect great fishing from mid-August through mid-September.
• The daily bag and possession limit for silver salmon is 6 in the Fishing Lagoon area. Check page 14 of the regulation book for a description of the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon area.
• Best results involve drifting salmon eggs near the inlet channel of the Fishing Lagoon on the flooding and ebbing tides. Medium-sized spinners are working well inside the Lagoon.
• Saltwater Cook Inlet feeder king salmon fishing occurs around Bluff Point, Point Pogibshi, and other nearshore locations in Kachemak Bay. Recently, trolling for both king and silver salmon has been slow in the Bluff Point and Anchor Point areas. Bad weather has hampered anglers from getting out.
• Fishing for pinks in Tutka Lagoon is fair. They are biting on spinners and spoons, but most of the fish are dark.
• The coho personal use fishery opened Monday, August 18. Permits are available only at the Homer office. You may not fish in this fishery if you obtained a personal use permit to dipnet or gillnet for salmon in the Kenai or Kasilof rivers.

Shellfish

• The next series of good clamming tides runs August 27-30.
• A fishing license and permit is required to take littleneck and butter clams within Kachemak Bay. You must have both your license and the permit with you while digging for clam, and you must record your harvest on the permit before you leave the beach. The permit is free, and is available at Fish & Game offices and major license vendors. Please fill in your holes, and rebury, neck up, the clams that you don't take or the clams will die.
• The daily limit for razor clams is the first 60 clams dug. No permit is required to take razor clams, but you do need your 2003 fishing license with you on the beach.
• No crab or shrimp fisheries are currently open in Cook Inlet.

The Department of Environmental Conservation issued a news release warning of elevated PSP levels in mussels commercially harvested from a section of Kachemak Bay. For more information about the warning, contact Mike Ostasz, DEC Division of Environmental Health in Anchorage at (907) 269-7638 or click link to view DEC News Release: http://www.state.ak.us/dec/mussel8_03.pdf

Halibut, Rockfish, and Lingcod

• Halibut fishing in Lower Cook Inlet waters remains spotty, and fishing for halibut typically slows in August as these fish migrate to deeper waters.
• Anglers are returning with fish in the 7 - 30-pound range. Cook Inlet waters 35 miles out of Homer are producing some fish in waters 240 feet deep. 30 - 170-pound fish are coming in on charter boats that have been fishing near Chugach Island and the Barren Islands.
• Private boats were very successful fishing for rockfish and lingcod this week.
• Rockfish may be caught while trolling for salmon. These fish are usually black or dusky rockfish, and they can generally be successfully released with good likelihood of survival. The daily bag limit in Cook Inlet waters is 5 rockfish, of which only 1 can be non-pelagic. Check the rockfish identification pictures on page 10 of the Southcentral Alaska regulation booklet to identify non-pelagic species.
• Lingcod fishing is best in the outer Kenai Peninsula, well beyond the waters of Kachemak Bay, and around the Chugach and Elizabeth islands, or the Barren Islands.
• Minimum legal size is 35 inches, with a bag and possession limit of 2 fish per day. Lingcod may be landed only by hand or with a landing net (no gaffs).

Anchor River, Deep Creek, Ninilchik River, Crooked Creek

• Stream anglers can now fish the entire Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik River systems, but salmon may be taken only in the lower 2-mile sections.
• Recent rains have raised the water levels as well as cooled water temperatures. Changes in stream characteristics, combined with higher tides, have brought more silvers into the streams. Fishing conditions are great for silver salmon and anglers are catching daily bag limits of 2 silvers from these rivers. Anglers who fished these streams last week will find fishing has improved and would be rated as good at this time.
• Drift salmon eggs, or cast small- to medium-sized spinners or brightly-colored fly patterns for best results. The peak of the run is around August 20, but silvers will be available through Labor Day.
• Dolly Varden continue to be caught in these three streams in good numbers.
• Daily limit for Dollies is 2 per day/2 in possession. Daily limits for salmon are 3 per day/3 in possession, with only 2 per day/2 in possession may be silvers.
• Steelhead are starting to enter the rivers. Please be aware of the differences between a silver salmon and a steelhead. Rainbow/steelhead trout may not be retained in these streams.

Saltwater, Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon, and Tutka Bay

• Anglers continue to have a great time at the "Fishing Hole!"
• Silvers are being caught with spinners or salmon eggs. Many of the silvers are still the early-run fish that start returning in mid-July. The early run is subsiding and late-run silvers should be arriving soon. The overlap of these two runs will provide great fishing through mid-September.
• The daily bag and possession limit for silver salmon is 6 in the vicinity of the Fishing Lagoon (see page 14 of the regulation book for description of this area).
• Best results involve drifting salmon eggs near the inlet channel of the Fishing Lagoon on the flooding and ebbing tides. Medium-sized spinners are working well on the inside of the Lagoon.
• Fishing for pinks in Tutka Lagoon is fair to good; they are biting on spinners and spoons. The limit is 6 pinks per day, snagging is legal here.
• Saltwater Cook Inlet feeder king salmon fishing is available around Bluff Point, Point Pogibshi, and other nearshore locations in Kachemak Bay.
• Recently, trolling for both king and silver salmon has been slow in the Bluff Point and Anchor Point areas. Anglers are having better success southwest of Homer near Point Pogibshi and Seldovia.
• The silver salmon personal use fishery opens Monday, August 18. Permits are available only at the Homer office. You may not fish in this fishery if you obtained a personal use permit to dipnet/gillnet the Kenai or Kasilof rivers.

Shellfish

• The next series of good clamming tides runs through August 15 and then August 27-30.
• A fishing license and permit is required to take littleneck and butter clams within Kachemak Bay and you must have it with you while digging, and you must record your harvest on it before you leave the beach. The permit is free, and is available at ADF&G offices and major license vendors. Please fill in your holes and don't forget to rebury, neck up, the clams that you don't take, or the clams will die.
• The daily limit for razor clams is the first 60 clams dug. No permit is required to take razor clams, but you do need your 2003 fishing license with you on the beach.
• No crab or shrimp fisheries are currently open in Cook Inlet.

Halibut, Rockfish, and Lingcod

• Halibut fishing in Lower Cook Inlet waters was less productive last week, due to rough water, and perhaps due to the movement of fish to other areas. Fishing for halibut typically slows in August as these fish migrate to deeper waters.
• Anglers have still been successful, bringing in 15-100-lb. fish from Flat Island, the Chugach Islands, and Seldovia, but more effort was needed to get their limits.
• The waters around the Barren Islands have been productive for some large fish, but action there has been less consistent as well.
• Lower Cook Inlet anglers are still catching fish, but it has been more difficult to get limits.
• Rockfish may be caught in Lower Cook Inlet, especially while trolling for salmon. These fish are usually black or dusky rockfish, and they can generally be successfully released with good likelihood of survival.
• The daily bag limit in Cook Inlet waters is 5 rockfish, of which only 1 can be non-pelagic. Check the rockfish identification pictures on page 10 of the Southcentral Alaska regulation booklet to identify non-pelagic species.
• Lingcod fishing is best in the outer Kenai Peninsula, well beyond the waters of Kachemak Bay, and around the Chugach and Elizabeth Islands, or the Barren Islands.
• Minimum legal size is 35 inches, with a bag and possession limit of 2 fish per day. Lingcod may be landed only by hand or with a landing net (no gaffs).

Anchor River, Deep Creek, Ninilchik River, Crooked Creek

• These streams are very low and clear. Anglers can now fish the entire Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik River systems, but salmon fishing is open only in the lower two miles on each stream.
• Anglers fishing the Anchor River report very few silver salmon. Silver fishing should improve quickly as the typical August 20 peak of the run approaches.
• Pink salmon can also be found in these streams.
• For salmon fishing, drift eggs or cast small to medium spinners for best results. Silvers will be available through Labor Day (September 1).
• Dolly Varden continue to enter these three streams. If at first you aren't successful, keep moving! When you find a school, you'll know it.
• Daily limits for Dolly Varden are 2 per day/2 in possession. Daily limits for salmon are 3 per day/3 in possession, with only 2 per day/ 2 in possession may be silvers.
• Steelhead are starting to enter the rivers. Please familiarize yourself with the differences between a silver salmon and a steelhead. Rainbow/steelhead have spots all over both lobes of the tail, while silvers have spots only on the upper lobe of the tail. There's a fish ID guide on pages 8 and 9 of your regulation book.
• Rainbow/steelhead trout may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately in these streams.

Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon, and other saltwater salmon fishing

• Anglers are having a great time with silver salmon at the Fishing Lagoon. The best bite is on the flooding and ebbing tides. Vibrax spinners are working well inside the Lagoon.
• Silvers will provide great fishing now until fall.
• The daily bag and possession limit for salmon in the Fishing Lagoon area is 6 per day/6 in possession, and all 6 may be silver salmon. Check page 14 for a description of the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon area.
• Fishing for pink salmon in Tutka Lagoon is good. They are biting on spinners and spoons. The limit is 6 salmon per day, and all 6 may be pinks. Snagging is legal here.
• Saltwater king salmon anglers are turning their attention to feeder kings around Bluff Point, Point Pogibshi, and other nearshore locations in Kachemak Bay. Salmon trolling continues to be slow.

Shellfish

• The next series of good clamming tides is August 10-15, and then August 26-30.
• A permit is required to take littleneck and butter clams within Kachemak Bay. You must have the permit with you while digging clams, and you must record your harvest on the permit before you leave the beach.
• The permit is free, and is available at Fish & Game offices and major license vendors. Please fill in your holes and rebury, neck up, the clams that you don't take.
• The daily limit for razor clams is the first 60 clams dug. No permit is required to take razor clams, but you do need your 2003 fishing license with you on the beach.
• No crab or shrimp fisheries are open in Cook Inlet because abundance of these species is low.

Halibut, Rockfish, and Lingcod

• Last week's halibut fishing in Lower Cook Inlet waters was excellent. Good weather helped to provide plenty of action.
• The best fishing was in the Outer Kenai Peninsula, near Elizabeth Island and Naugahut Rocks, but action was also good in Cook Inlet waters 20 to 35 miles out.
• Most anglers are fishing less than 100 feet deep and getting their limits of 20-40 pound halibut. At 100 feet and shallower, the currents and tides are less of a problem.
• Some anglers had excellent success catching 150-pound halibut from 200 feet down. Occasionally a truly large halibut was also landed, such as the 339 pound fish caught out of Homer.
• Deep Creek and Anchor Point anglers have also been doing well fishing the same waters as vessels departing from Homer.
• Rockfish, especially black and dusky rockfish are occasionally caught in Lower Cook Inlet, especially while trolling for salmon. If caught in less than 60 feet of water, these pelagic rockfish can be released with a good likelihood of survival.
• Anglers may also catch non-pelagic rockfish, such as yelloweye (erroneously called "red snapper"), while bottom fishing for halibut. If these non-pelagic rockfish are caught in less than 60 feet of water, they can also be successfully released.
• In Cook Inlet, non-pelagic rockfish have a conservative daily bag limit of one fish, so be sure to understand the regulations before you go out fishing.
• Check the rockfish identification pictures on page 10 of the Southcentral regulation booklet.
• A new rockfish brochure is available free from Alaska Sea Grant.
• Lingcod fishing has been good, especially around Chugach Island, the Elizabeth Islands, or the Barren Islands.
• Minimum legal size is 35 inches, with a bag and possession limit of 2 fish per day. Lingcod may only be landed by hand or with a landing net (no gaffs).
• Spiny dogfish (a type of shark) and Pacific cod have been abundant in offshore waters, and both make good table fare. If you keep a shark, you must record your catch on the back of your license (or Harvest Record Card), and the annual limit is 2 sharks of any species. There is no bag or possession limit for Pacific cod.

Deep Creek, Ninilchik River, Anchor River

• Silver salmon have started to return.
• A few silvers have gone through the Ninilchik River weir, and anglers reported catching a silver or two in the tidal areas of Deep Creek. No reports of silvers entering the Anchor yet, but with silvers in both Ninilchik and Deep Creek it's likely a small number are in the lower Anchor River.
• Silver fishing in these streams will be improving daily through August. The best places to try are the tidal areas of these streams on the rising or falling tide.
• Drift eggs, or cast small to medium spinners for best results.
• Pink salmon are also present in the Anchor and Ninilchik Rivers.
• For salmon, anglers can have 3 per day/3 in possession, with only 2 per day/2 in possession being silver salmon.
• The Anchor River is open for salmon fishing (except king salmon) from its mouth upstream to the confluence of the north and south forks.
• The Ninilchik River and Deep Creek are open for salmon fishing (except king salmon) from their mouths upstream two miles to ADF&G markers.
• Dolly Varden continue to enter these streams. Anglers may have 2 per day/2 in possession, any size. On August 1, the entire length of the Anchor River, the Ninilchik River and Deep Creek are open for Dolly Varden fishing. Many Dollies are now in the upstream reaches.
• Steelhead trout fresh from the sea may be found in these streams after August 15. Anglers often mistake steelhead for silver salmon, so brush up on your Pacific salmon and steelhead trout identification. It is up to you to know the difference between our fish species.
• Retention of either rainbow or steelhead trout is not allowed year-round on these streams. Rainbows and steelhead must be released immediately and may not be removed from the water before release.

Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon

• The silvers are in! The Lagoon is packed with bright early-run silvers biting on spinners and fresh salmon eggs. Fishing is good to excellent.
• A second run of silvers will show in early August to mid-September. These two runs will overlap, providing great fishing until fall.
• In the Fishing Lagoon area, anglers may have 6 per day/6 in possession, and all 6 may be silver salmon.
• Drifting salmon eggs near the inlet channel of the Fishing Lagoon on the flooding and ebbing tides provides the best results. Vibrax spinners are also working well.

Salt Water Salmon Fishing

• The silver salmon are thick off Elizabeth Island, with quick limit catches. Point Pogibshi is also a popular spot for silvers with lots of pink salmon mixed in.
• Bluff Point is producing fair to good catches for silvers, but limit catches take a little longer. The Bluff Point/Diamond Creek area should be improving as more silvers move into Lower Cook Inlet.
• Pinks are pouncing on spoons in Tutka Bay. Be courteous and yield to commercial cost recovery boats fishing in Tutka Lagoon.
• In the salt waters outside the Fishing Lagoon, anglers may have 6 salmon per day/6 in possession, only 3 per day/3 in possession may be silver salmon. Snagging is legal only in Kachemak Bay (except at the Fishing Lagoon).
• Salt water fishing for feeder kings around Bluff Point, Point Pogibshi and other nearshore locations can be excellent. Early August anglers frequently harvest a daily bag limit of both silvers and kings from these waters.
• Don't forget your king stamp (or Harvest Record Card).
• The China Poot Creek personal use dipnet fishery is open until August 7. Check page 18 for the regulations for this Alaska resident-only fishery. This fishery is slowing down, but dipnetters are having success getting their limits.

Shellfish

• Good clamming tides run July 28-August 2 and then August 10-15.
• A permit is required to take littleneck and butter clams within Kachemak Bay. You must have it with you while digging, and you must record your harvest before you leave the beach. The permit is free, and is available at Fish & Game offices and major license vendors. Please fill in your holes and rebury, neck up, the clams that you don't take.
• The daily limit for razor clams is the first 60 clams dug. No permit is required to take razor clams, but you do need your 2003 fishing license with you on the beach.
• For best success on Clam Gulch area beaches look for a -2 foot or lower tide. On Deep Creek and Ninilchik area beaches, look for a -3 to -4 foot tide.
• No crab or shrimp fisheries are currently open in Cook Inlet.

Salt Waters

• Halibut fishing in Lower Cook Inlet waters remains good, although rough seas have affected fishing effort. Limit catches were taken in 190 - 210 feet of water by vessels venturing 10 - 14 miles from the Homer spit.
• Although many fish are 10 - 30 pounds, a 317-pound fish was hooked within 10 miles of the docks.
• Excellent weather and calm seas prevailed over the weekend, which allowed anglers to spread far and wide. The Flat Island and Chugach Island areas were again productive. Here, 20 - 150 pound halibut were found at over 200 feet of water.
• Deep Creek and Anchor Point areas produced many fish over 100 pounds. Vessels are fishing 15 - 30 miles out, although halibut are often caught within 2 miles from shore.
• Salmon trollers are harvesting all species of salmon, but late run kings are slow. Best action is in the Bluff Point area by anglers using herring. Try fishing one hour before high tide through two hours after high tide.
• Pink salmon are available in Tutka Bay, and bite readily on spinners and spoons.
• Outside the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon, anglers may have 6 salmon (other than king salmon) per day/ 6 in possession, only 3 per day/3 in possession may be silver salmon.
• Rockfish, especially black and dusky rockfish, are occasionally caught in Lower Cook Inlet, especially while trolling for king salmon. If caught in less than 60 feet of water, these pelagic rockfish can be released with a good likelihood of survival.
• Anglers may also catch non-pelagic rockfish while bottom fishing for halibut. If these rockfish are caught in less than 60 feet of water they can also be successfully released.
• The daily bag limit in Cook Inlet waters is 5 rockfish, of which only 1 can be non-pelagic. Check the rockfish identification pictures on page 10 of the regulation book.
• A new rockfish brochure is also available free from Alaska Sea Grant.
• Lingcod fishing has been good, especially around the Chugach and Elizabeth islands, or at the Barren Islands.
• Minimum legal size is 35 inches, with a bag and possession limit of 2 fish per day. Lingcod may be landed only by hand or with a landing net (no gaffs).
• Spiny dogfish (a species of shark) and Pacific cod have been caught lately, and both these fish are good table fare.
• If you keep a shark, you must immediately record your catch on the back of your license or Harvest Record Card, and the annual limit is 2 sharks of any species. There is no limit for Pacific cod, you can keep as many as you catch.

Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon

• The early run silvers are jumping like popcorn in the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon.
• Best results involve drifting salmon eggs near the inlet channel of the Fishing Lagoon on the flooding and ebbing tides. Vibrax spinners are working well on inside the Lagoon.
• A second run of silvers will return from early August to mid-September. The two runs will overlap and provide great fishing for months.
• In the Fishing Lagoon area, the daily bag and possession limit for salmon is 6, and all 6 may be silver salmon. Check page 14 of the reg book for a description of the Fishing Lagoon area.
• Outside the Fishing Lagoon area, only 3 of your 6 salmon may be silver salmon.

Anchor River, Deep Creek, Ninilchik River

• These streams are now very low and clear.
• Dolly Varden continue to enter these lower Kenai Peninsula streams. You may keep two Dolly Varden per day and have two in your possession.
• Silver salmon have yet to make an appearance, but should soon enter these rivers. Pink salmon are known to be present in the Anchor and Ninilchik rivers.
• By August, these streams will have red, pink, and silver salmon. You can have 3 per day/ 3 in possession, only 2 per day/ 2 in possession may be silver salmon.
• Try fresh salmon eggs, or small bright spinners and spoons for best results. Best fishing times are early mornings or late evenings in the tidal areas.
• The Anchor River is open from its mouth upstream to the confluence of the north and south forks for species other than king salmon.
• The Ninilchik River and Deep Creek are open from their mouths upstream two miles to the ADF&G markers, for species other than king salmon.
• Reminder -Retention of rainbow/steelhead trout is not allowed year-round on these streams. Rainbow/steelhead must be released immediately and may not be removed from the water.

Personal Use Fisheries

• The China Poot Creek personal use dipnet fishery is open through August 7. Check page 18 for the regulations for this Alaska resident-only fishery.
• This fishery is slowing down but dipnetters are still getting their limits.

Shellfish

• Good clamming tides run July 28-August 2 and then August 10-15.
• A permit is required to take littleneck and butter clams within Kachemak Bay. You must have it with you while digging, and you must record your harvest before you leave the beach. The permit is free, and is available at Fish & Game offices and major license vendors. Please fill in your holes and rebury, neck up, the clams that you don't take.
• The daily limit for razor clams is the first 60 clams dug. No permit is required to take razor clams, but you do need your 2003 fishing license with you on the beach.
• For best success on Clam Gulch area beaches look for a -2 foot or lower tide. On Deep Creek and Ninilchik area beaches, look for a -3 to -4 foot tide.
• No crab or shrimp fisheries are currently open in Cook Inlet.

Halibut, Other Groundfish

• Halibut fishing remains good in Lower Cook Inlet waters, in spite of recent rough weather that kept boats close to port. Limit catches are reported 16 - 30 miles out from Homer in 120 - 240 feet of water.
• The closer waters continue to yield mostly 15 - 20 pound halibut. Waters farther out yield 25 - 40 pound fish. Several fish over 200 pounds were landed this week, including one that tipped the scales at 295 pounds.
• Action has been good off the kelp beds near Bluff Point, with numerous 60-pound fish taken last week.
• Deep Creek and Anchor Point halibut anglers have also been doing well, and getting limit catches of nice halibut.
• Rockfish, usually black or dusky rockfish, can be caught in Lower Cook Inlet, especially while trolling for king salmon. Some rockfish may also be caught while bottom fishing for halibut. If caught in fewer than 60 feet of water, it's likely the rockfish will survive release.
• The rockfish daily bag limit in Cook Inlet waters is 5 per day/5 in possession; only 1 per day/1 in possession may be "non-pelagic." Check the rockfish identification pictures on page 10 of the 2003 regulation booklet.
• A new rockfish brochure is also available free from Alaska Sea Grant.
• Lingcod fishing opened July 1, and for anglers able to access the waters of the outer Kenai Peninsula, fishing has been good. The best areas continue to be around the Chugach and Elizabeth islands, or the Barren Islands.
• Minimum size is 35 inches, with a bag limit of 2 per day/2 in possession. Lingcod may be landed only by hand or with a landing net (no gaffs).

Anchor River, Deep Creek, Ninilchik River

• The Anchor River is open from its mouth upstream to the confluence of the north and south forks for species other than king salmon.
• The Ninilchik River and Deep Creek are open from their mouths upstream two miles to ADF&G markers for species other than king salmon.
• Retention of rainbow/steelhead trout is not allowed year-round on these streams. Rainbow/steelhead must be released immediately, and may not be removed from the water before release.
• These streams are now low and clear. The salmon fishing is usually good in August, and you can have 3 per day/3 in possession, only 2 per day/2 in possession may be silvers (coho). A few pinks are now showing up in the Anchor River.
• Anglers can expect good catches of Dolly Varden during the month of July. Bag limits are 2 per day/2 in possession.
• Try fresh salmon eggs, and small bright spinners and spoons for best results. Best fishing is in the early morning or evening hours in the tidal areas.

Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon, Other Salt Water Salmon Fishing

• The early run silver salmon are arriving at the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon.
• A second run of silvers will show early August to mid-September. These two runs will overlap each other to provide some great fishing from now through September.
• The daily bag and possession limit for silver salmon is 6 in the lagoon area. Best results involve drifting salmon eggs near the inlet channel of the lagoon, on the flooding and ebbing tides.
• Red salmon are continuing to provide good fishing in China Poot Bay. China Poot salmon are returning to an enhancement project financed by commercial anglers, so please yield to commercial boats.
• Salmon trollers are harvesting all species of salmon. Best action is in the Bluff Point area.
• Pinks are starting to show up in Tutka Bay. Pinks bite readily on spinners and spoons.
• In the marine troll fishery, late run kings are fair. The best results seem to come from trolling up to one mile from shore using cut herring for bait. Try fishing one hour before high tide through two hours after high tide.
• The China Poot Creek personal use dipnet fishery is now open. Check page 18 for the regulations for this Alaska resident-only fishery.

Shellfish

• Good clamming tides run July 28-August 2, and then August 10-15.
• There are bag limits and size limits for littleneck and butter clams, and a permit is required to take littleneck and butter clams within Kachemak Bay.
• You must have the permit with you while digging, and you must record your harvest before you leave the beach. The permit is free, and is available at Fish & Game offices and major license vendors.
• To help sustain the littleneck and butter clam populations and provide extra safety on the clam beaches, please rebury, neck up, the littlenecks or butters that you don't take, and fill in the holes from the clams you do take.
• The daily limit for razor clams is the first 60 clams dug. No permit is required to take razor clams, but you do need your 2003 fishing license with you on the beach.
• No crab or shrimp fisheries are currently open in Cook Inlet.

Halibut, Other Groundfish

• Halibut fishing remains good to very good in Lower Cook Inlet. Limit catches are reported 11 - 35 miles out from Homer in 170 - 270 feet of water.
• The closer waters yield mostly 10 - 20 pound halibut. Waters 25 miles and out yield 20 - 50 pound fish. Several halibut over 200 pounds were also taken last week.
• Chugach Island has been popular for black and dusky rockfish.
• The rockfish daily bag limit in Cook Inlet waters is 5 per day/5 in possession; only 1 per day/1 in possession may be "non-pelagic." Check the rockfish identification pictures on page 10 of the 2003 regulation booklet.
• A new rockfish brochure is also available free from Alaska Sea Grant.
• Lingcod fishing opened July 1, and fishing has been good. The best lingcod areas are around the Chugach and Elizabeth islands.
• Minimum size is 35 inches, with a bag limit of 2 per day/2 in possession. Lingcod may be landed only by hand or with a landing net (no gaffs).

Anchor River, Deep Creek, Ninilchik River

• The Anchor River is open from its mouth upstream to the confluence of the north and south forks for species other than king salmon.
• The Ninilchik River and Deep Creek are open from their mouths upstream two miles to ADF&G markers for species other than king salmon.
• Retention of rainbow/steelhead trout is not allowed year-round on these streams. Rainbow/steelhead must be released immediately, and may not be removed from the water before release.
• These streams are now low and clear. Once the red, pink and silver salmon start running, you can have 3 per day/3 in possession, only 2 per day/2 in possession may be silver (coho). A few pinks are now showing up in the Anchor River.
• Anglers can expect good catches of Dolly Varden during the month of July. Bag limits are 2 per day/2 in possession.
• Try fresh salmon eggs, and small bright spinners and spoons for best results. Best fishing is in the early morning or evening hours in the tidal areas.

Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon, Other Salt Water Salmon Fishing

• Silver salmon will be arriving at the Fishing Lagoon around the middle of July.
• The Fishing Lagoon is once again closed to snagging, and will remain so until mid- or late September. Snagging is allowed only inside Kachemak Bay (but outside the Fishing Lagoon area).
• At China Poot Bay, red salmon are arriving in good numbers. China Poot reds were paid for by a commercial fishing enhancement project, so please yield to commercial boats.
• Trolling anglers have had good success catching a mixed bag of pinks, chum, and red salmon, especially near Point Adam. King salmon catches have slowed. Silvers have not yet been caught, but will show up any time.
• The China Poot Creek personal use dipnet fishery is now open. Check page 18 for the regulations for this Alaska resident-only fishery.

Shellfish

• Good clamming tides run July 11-17 and then July 28-August 2.
• There are bag limits and size limits for littleneck and butter clams, and a permit is required to take littleneck and butter clams within Kachemak Bay.
• You must have the permit with you while digging, and you must record your harvest before you leave the beach. The permit is free, and is available at Fish & Game offices and major license vendors.
• To help sustain the littleneck and butter clam populations and provide extra safety on the clam beaches, please rebury, neck up, the littlenecks or butters that you don't take, and fill in the holes from the clams you do take.
• The daily limit for razor clams is the first 60 clams dug. No permit is required to take razor clams, but you do need your 2003 fishing license with you on the beach.
• No crab or shrimp fisheries are currently open in Cook Inlet.

An Emergency Order has been issued to allow snagging in the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon and immediate vicinity, through 11:59 pm., Sunday, July 6. After that time, the Fishing Lagoon is closed to snagging.

Salt Waters

• Halibut fishing remains good to very good in Lower Cook Inlet. Limits are reported from 14 - 35 miles from the Homer Spit, fishing in 130-170 ft. waters. Fish are 10 - 20 pounds in most areas, but some larger halibut are coming in from the deeper waters off Pogibshi Point.
• Fishing for halibut in the kelp beds north of Bluff Point has been "off and on," but some nice fish over 100 pounds have recently been caught.
• It is not uncommon to catch black and dusky rockfish, especially while trolling for king salmon. Black and dusky rockfish can be successfully released with good likelihood of survival.
• Anglers fishing off the bottom catch some rockfish, and if they are caught in less than 60 feet of water they can also be successfully released.
• The daily bag limit in Cook Inlet waters is 5 rockfish, of which only 1 can be non-pelagic. Check the rockfish identification pictures on page 10 of the 2003 Southcentral Alaska regulation booklet to identify non-pelagic species.
• A new rockfish brochure is available free from Alaska Sea Grant.
• Lingcod fishing opened July 1, and initial reports indicate fishing has been good. The best areas are well beyond the waters of Kachemak Bay, around the Chugach and Elizabeth islands.
• Minimum size is 35 inches, with a bag limit of 2 per day/ 2 in possession. Lingcod may be landed only by hand or with a landing net (no gaffs).
• At China Poot Bay (south shore of Kachemak Bay) red (sockeye) salmon are starting to show, and snagging success is good. Snagging is allowed in salt waters only.
• China Poot salmon are returning to an enhancement project financed by commercial fishing concerns, so please yield to commercial boats.
• Trolling for king salmon has slowed, with very spotty catches reported. The best salmon trolling is currently near Point Adams, where anglers are catching mixed bag of kings, pinks, chums, and sockeye salmon.
• Silver salmon are not currently being taken, but are likely to show up at any time.

Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon

• Snagging is permitted in the area of the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon now through 11:59 p.m., Sunday, July 6. After that time, the Fishing Lagoon is closed to snagging.
• Daily bag limit is two king salmon of any size. Fish 20 inches and larger do count as part of the five king seasonal limit and must be recorded.
• All other regulations pertaining to this fishery remain in effect.

Fresh Waters

• The Anchor River is open from its mouth upstream to the confluence of the north and south forks for species other than king salmon.
• The Ninilchik River and Deep Creek are open from their mouths upstream two miles to the ADF&G markers for species other than king salmon.
• Streams are rising with recent rains, best fishing times are early morning or late evening in the tidal areas.
• Anglers can expect to catch Dolly Varden during the month of July. Bag limit is 2 per day/2 in possession, any size.
• Once the red salmon, pink salmon, and silver salmon start running, you can have 3 per day/3 in possession in any combination, except only 2 per day/2 in possession may be silvers.
• Try fresh salmon eggs, or small bright spinners and spoons for best results.
• Retention of rainbow/steelhead trout is not allowed on these streams and they may not be removed from the water prior to release.
• Check pages 22-23 for more special regulations for these waters.

Shellfish

• The next series of good clamming tides runs July 11-17.
• For best success on Clam Gulch beaches, look for a -2 foot or lower tide. On Deep Creek and Ninilchik beaches, look for a -3 to -4 foot tide.
• From the mouth of the Kenai River to the tip of the Homer Spit, the daily limit for razor clams is the first 60 clams dug. No permit is required to take razor clams, but you do need your 2003 fishing license with you on the beach.
• A permit is required to take littleneck and butter clams within Kachemak Bay, and you must have it with you while digging, and record your harvest before you leave the beach.
• The permit is free, and is available at Fish & Game offices and major license vendors. Please fill in your holes and rebury, neck up, the clams that you don't take.
• No crab or shrimp fisheries are currently open in Cook Inlet

An Emergency Order has been issued allowing snagging in the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon, June 25 - July 6.

Through June 30, an Emergency Order extending the Ninilchik River hatchery king salmon fishery remains in effect.

Halibut, other Bottomfish

• Fishing for halibut remains excellent in Cook Inlet waters. The summer movement of fish has really begun and halibut have spread throughout the area.
• Good halibut catches 1-2 miles west of Flat Island are in the 15-30-pound category, from 170-200 feet of water.
• Waters of Cook Inlet 14-35 miles out of Homer are producing very well in 140-190 feet of water, with fish ranging from 40-100 pounds.
• Rockfish are being caught near Elizabeth or Pearl Islands, and out at the Barren Islands.
• Lingcod fishing remains closed until July 1. Any lingcod accidentally caught must be released, unharmed, immediately. Lingcod may be landed only by hand or with a landing net.

Fishing for Salmon in Freshwaters

• The Ninilchik River downstream of the Sterling Highway bridge remains open for hatchery king salmon through 11:59 pm, June 30. Bait is allowed, but only one single hook may be used. Hatchery kings are missing their adipose fin, and they have a healed adipose fin-clip scar, which appears as smooth skin the same color as the fish's back.
• All other sport fishing regulations on the Ninilchik still apply. Daily bag and possession limit for hatchery kings is one 20 inches or greater in length. Anglers may harvest 10 hatchery-reared king salmon under 20 inches in length.
• The Anchor River and Deep Creek are closed to all fishing until 12:01 am, July 1. At that time, the lower portions of these streams will reopen to fishing (except for king salmon fishing, which is closed for the rest of the year).

Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon, other saltwaters

• The Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon opens to snagging at noon, Wednesday, June 25. Snagging at the Homer Spit will close at 11:59 p.m., Sunday, July 6.
• All other regulations pertaining to this fishery remain in effect. Daily bag limit is two king salmon of any size. Kings 20 inches or larger must be immediately recorded.
• Fishing has slowed down at the Fishing Lagoon, but it is reported that many fish are in the lagoon.
• Fishing at Halibut Cove Lagoon has been excellent this year. Except for the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon (which opens to snagging by Emergency Order), snagging is now allowed in Kachemak Bay salt waters through the end of the year.
• Some kings are being caught at Glacier Spit; however, the majority of the catch from the marine trolling fishery is being taken near Bluff Point. Kings are in the 10-20 pound range.
• Silver salmon are showing up early in the marine troll fishery. Also, salmon trollers are harvesting Dolly Varden, chum salmon, pink salmon, and a few sockeye salmon.
• In the Deep Creek and Anchor Point marine waters, fishing has been improving with the smaller tides this week.

Shellfish

• The next series of good clamming tides is June 29- July 3.
• A permit is required to take littleneck and butter clams with Kachemak Bay and you must have it with you on the beach. The permit is free, and is available at Fish & Game offices and major license vendors. You need you fishing license to get the free permit, write down your harvest on the permit before leaving the digging site.
• There are size limits on butter and littlenecks, please check the regulation booklet.
• The daily limit for razor clams is the first 60 clams dug. No permit is required to take razor clams, but you do need your 2003 fishing license with you on the beach.
• No crab or shrimp fisheries are currently open in Cook Inlet.

An Emergency Order has been issued to extend the Ninilchik River king salmon season for hatchery fish only.

Halibut, other Bottomfish

• Halibut fishing continues to be good to excellent in Lower Cook Inlet waters, in spite of the strong tides last weekend.
• Prevailing weather has been favorable for anglers off the Bluffs, around Seldovia, Flat Island, and elsewhere out of Homer, and halibut have been generally easy to come by. They have been caught both by anchoring up and by fishing off the bottom, and even while trolling for salmon.
• Keepers are about 15 - 40 lbs. Moderate tides this week should make it less challenging for boaters.
• It is not uncommon to catch black and dusky rockfish, especially while trolling for king salmon. Blacks and duskies can be successfully released with good likelihood of survival.
• Anglers fishing off the bottom also catch rockfish sometimes. If rockfish are caught in less than 60 feet of water, they can usually be successfully released.
• The daily bag limit in Cook Inlet waters is 5 rockfish, of which only 1 can be non-pelagic. Check the rockfish identification pictures on page 10 in reg book.
• Lingcod fishing remains closed until July 1. Until that date, lingcod must be released, unharmed, immediately. They may only be landed by hand or with a landing net (no gaffs).

Salmon in Fresh Waters

• The Anchor River and Deep Creek are now closed to all fishing until July 1, when the lower portions will re-open to fishing (except for king salmon fishing).
• The Ninilchik River downstream of the Sterling Highway bridge continues to be open only for hatchery king salmon through June 30.
• Please see the Emergency Order/News Release for more regulatory information.
• Bait is allowed, but only one single hook may be used. A single hook has only 1 point, with or without barb.
• Water clarity is good and the river has returned to normal levels after the recent rains.

Salmon in Salt Waters and the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon

• King salmon fishing has slowed in the Deep Creek and Anchor Point marine waters.
• Trolling for king salmon in marine waters out of Homer has been fair to good, with the Bluffs the most popular spot. Some boats fish the south side of Kachemak Bay, and are finding a few fish there as well. Typical size has been in the 10 - 20 lbs.
• Silver salmon are showing early in the marine trolling fishery. Last year they didn't appear until mid-July.
• Fishing success for king salmon at the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon has slowed, even though anglers report bright fish still entering the lagoon. Herring, salmon eggs, and Vibrax spinners are being used.
• Snagging in the Homer Spit Lagoon is not allowed until sometime in late June.
• For king salmon south of Bluff Point, daily limits are 2 per day/ 2 in possession, any size. Only kings 20 inches or longer have to be recorded on your license. North of Bluff Point, the daily limits are 1 per day/1 in possession. The annual limit is 5 king salmon 20 inches or longer.
• Some Dolly Varden are also being taken.

Shellfish

• The next series of good clamming tides begins June 29- July 3.
• A permit is required to take littleneck and butter clams within Kachemak Bay. Please check our website for more information about the shellfish permit.
• The daily limit for razor clams is the first 60 clams dug. No permit is required to take razor clams, but you do need your 2003 fishing license with you on the beach.
• No crab or shrimp fisheries are currently open in Cook Inlet.

Halibut and Groundfish

• Halibut fishing out of Homer and Seldovia has been very good, with fish taken from 60- 300 feet. 10-50 lb. halibut make up most of the harvest.
• Anglers typically use herring on a circle hook but jigs are also producing fish.
• Halibut fishing was fair last week for Anchor Point, Deep Creek, and Ninilchik anglers -- limits were reported for many vessels. Most anglers are heading 10-25 miles into the Inlet and fishing herring on circle hooks.
• Although some fish over 100 lbs. have been taken, anglers are reporting many small fish, about 15-20 pounds.
• Halibut daily limits are 2 per day/ 4 in possession. Fish apply to the bag limit of the person who hooks them.
• Halibut anglers in Cook Inlet have also been catching quite a few Pacific (gray) cod as well as spiny dogfish ("sand sharks"), skates, and other fish.
• The shark daily bag limit is 1 per day/1 in possession / 2 per year. Harvested sharks must be recorded on the back of your license or harvest card.
• Lingcod fishing is CLOSED until July 1. All lingcod caught unintentionally must be landed by hand or with a net (no gaffs) and carefully released.

Marine Safety

• When venturing out in Cook Inlet, make sure your boat is safe, keep a watchful eye on the weather and water conditions, be aware of tidal currents and proceed with caution.

Ninilchik, Deep Creek, Anchor River

• An Emergency Order has been issued extending the Ninilchik River king salmon fishery from June 14 through June 30.
• To reduce impacts on wild fish, only hatchery-reared king salmon may be kept. If you catch a wild king salmon (with an adipose fin) you must release it without removing it from the water.
• Returning adult hatchery-reared chinook are recognized by the missing adipose fin and a healed adipose fin-clip scar which appears as smooth skin the same color as the fish's back.
• The open area is from its mouth upstream to the downstream side of the Sterling Highway bridge. Open season for these hatchery king salmon is 12:01 am, Saturday, June 14 through 11:59 pm, Monday, June 30.
• The daily limit for hatchery king salmon 20 inches or longer is 1 per day/1 in possession. The daily limit for hatchery king salmon under 20 inches is 10 per day/10 in possession.
• No bait is allowed, and anglers must use one single hook. A single hook has only 1 point, with or without barb.
• Upon harvesting a hatchery king 20 inches or greater in length, anglers must immediately record their harvest. Hatchery king salmon that are removed from the water must be retained. Wild fish, recognized because they still have their adipose fin, may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
• King salmon fishing in the Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik River during the third weekend opener was perhaps the best we have seen this season.
• Fish were 18-25 lbs. Streams are at normal seasonal levels and water clarity is good.
• By regulation Deep Creek is now closed to all fishing until July 1.
• The lower Anchor River will open for a final weekend Saturday, June 15, at 12:01 a.m. and close Monday, June 17, at 11:59 p.m. Bait and treble hooks are allowed on this stream. Try fresh salmon eggs, sizes 2-8 Spin-N-Glos, Vibrax, Tee Spoons, Flash Glos, Mepps, Pixees, or yarn flies. Chartreuse was the reported "hot" color.

Saltwaters, Homer Spit

• Marine fishing for king salmon in central Cook Inlet has slowed down. The best action was in 10-40 feet of water using cut herring.
• Be sure to review the Southcentral Sport Fishing regulations and be aware of areas closed to fishing and special harvest zones.
• Fishing for king salmon at the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon has been very good. Fish are 20-25 lbs. Anglers are using herring and Vibrax spinners for best results. This run is nearly at its peak and will end in early July. Snagging in the Homer Spit Lagoon is not allowed until sometime in late June.
• For king salmon south of Bluff Point, daily limits are 2 per day/2 in possession, any size. Only kings 20 inches or longer have to be recorded on your license. North of Bluff Point, the daily limits are 1 per day/1 in possession. The annual limit is 5 king salmon 20 inches or longer.

Shellfish

• Good clamming tides run through June 15 and then June 22-28.
• A permit is required to take littleneck (steamer) and butter clams within Kachemak Bay and you must have it with you on the beach. The permit is free, and is available at Fish & Game offices and major license vendors across Southcentral Alaska. You need your fishing license to get the free permit. You must write down your harvest on the permit before leaving the digging site.
• Littlenecks and butters that are not kept should be re-buried with the neck up, otherwise they cannot easily re-bury themselves to escape the tides or predators.
• There are size limits on butter and littlenecks, please check the regulation booklet.
• The daily limit for razor clams is the first 60 clams dug. The possession limit is 120 clams. No permit is required to take razor clams, but you do need your 2003 fishing license with you on the beach.
• No crab or shrimp fisheries are currently open in Cook Inlet.

Halibut, other Bottomfish

• Halibut fishing has been steady in the Ninilchik/Anchor Point area and very good in waters accessible from the Homer/Seldovia area.
• Waters south of Port Graham are producing lots of 15 - 50 lb. halibut. Fish are caught at 60 - 250 feet.
• Rockfish are occasionally caught in Lower Cook Inlet, especially while trolling for king salmon. Rockfish caught in less than 60 feet of water can usually survive release.
• The daily bag limit in Cook Inlet is five rockfish, only one non-pelagic. Check the rockfish identification pictures on page 10 in the 2003 Southcentral Alaska regulation booklet to identify non-pelagic species.
• A new rockfish brochure is available free from Alaska Sea Grant.
• Lingcod fishing remains closed until July 1. All lingcod caught incidentally must be released.

Fishing for Salmon in Freshwater

• The lower portions of the Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik River have their third opening this weekend, starting Sat., June 7, at 12:01 a.m., and ending at 11:59 pm, Mon., June 9. These are weekend-only fisheries.
• Fishing on these three streams has been superior, "the best in several years," some say. Last weekend, a 39 lb. king was caught on the Anchor River, and many 30 lb. kings have been landed. Rivers are low and clear.
• Bait and treble hooks are allowed. Salmon eggs are working well, as are size 8 spinners.
• This is the last weekend opener for king salmon on Deep Creek and Ninilchik River.
• The Anchor River sonar is now operational. The objective is to count king salmon migrating upstream and steelhead migrating downstream. Sonar estimates are posted on our web pages.
• The upper boundary of the sport fishery is now located 150 ft. downstream of the confluence of the north and south forks, as indicated by ADF&G markers.

Fishing for Salmon in Saltwaters, and the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon

• Hot fishing continues at the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon. The higher tides have brought many bright king salmon. Herring is preferred, but size 5 -6 blue Vibrax^TM spinners are also working well.
• Fish are 20-25 lbs. This fishery peaks in mid-June and ends in early July.
• Snagging is not allowed until sometime in late June. The daily bag and possession limit is 2 king salmon, no manner what size they are. Only fish 20 inches or longer need to be recorded on your license.
• Strong numbers of king salmon are producing good fishing in Halibut Cove and Seldovia. Most anglers toss out spinners or fresh roe. Daily bag limit is 2 king salmon in these areas, and you must record your 20-inch or longer harvested kings.
• The marine troll king harvest has been good. Hot spots are the waters of Kachemak Bay and the waters around Bluff Point. Anglers are trolling herring at 10 - 50 feet.
• The king run has slowed considerably in the Deep Creek-Anchor Point marine fishery.

Shellfish

• The next good clamming tides run June12-17.
• A free permit is required to take littleneck and butter clams in Kachemak Bay and must be in your possession while digging. You must log your harvest before leaving the digging site.
• Rebury, neck up, clams you don't want to prevent them washing away when the tide rises.
• The shrimp and crab fisheries are closed year-round due to low population levels.

Halibut, rockfish

• Halibut fishing was steady, with good-sized fish brought in from Kachemak Bay, Lower Cook Inlet, and central Cook Inlet around Anchor Point and Ninilchik.
• Rockfish are occasionally caught in Lower Cook Inlet, especially while trolling for king salmon. Rockfish caught in less than 60 feet of water can usually survive release.
• The daily bag limit in Cook Inlet is five rockfish, only one of which may be a non-pelagic species. Check the rockfish identification pictures on page 10 in the 2003 Southcentral Alaska regulation booklet to identify non-pelagic species.
• A new rockfish brochure can be ordered from Alaska Sea Grant.

Fishing for salmon in saltwaters, and the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon

• The marine fishery for king salmon has been good, depending on the weather. Many kings are in the 15-to 25- pound range. Good catches were reported from the Glacier Spit area and marine waters from Bluff Point north to Stariski Creek.
• In the Deep Creek area, marine king salmon fishing was slow. Our port sampler reported fewer king catches than a week ago, but halibut anglers were doing great.
• Check the special restrictions for this area on page 13 of the 2003 Southcentral regulation summary book.
• South of Bluff Point, the daily limits for king salmon are 2 per day/2 in possession, any size. Harvested kings that are 20 inches or longer must be immediately recorded on the back of the fishing license or on the Harvest Record Card (as appropriate).
• Bright kings are also now being caught at the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon. Herring is preferred, but blue or green Vibrax® spinners in sizes 5-6 are also working well. Snagging is not allowed until sometime in late June.
• Fish are 20-25 lbs. This week is the beginning of a series of high tides, which should bring more kings to this popular fishing spot.
• Kings are showing in Halibut Cove and Seldovia. Numbers should build into early June. Most anglers prefer spinners or fresh roe for bait.

Anchor River, Deep Creek, Ninilchik

• The Anchor River, Ninilchik River and Deep Creek will reopen to fishing this weekend at 12:01 a.m. Sat., May 31, and close at 11:59 pm, Mon., June 2. Bait and treble hooks are allowed. Salmon fishing is open only in the lower two miles of streams as defined by ADF&G markers.
• Water levels continue to be low and clear. The Alaska Pacific River Forecast Center runs an excellent website with river level information.
• Last weekend, the Anchor River produced good fishing and several catches of nice-sized king salmon.
• On the Anchor River and Deep Creek, an angler may not continue to fish for the remainder of the day in these streams after retaining a king salmon 20 inches or longer.
• No more than 2 king salmon 20 inches or longer may be taken each year from the Anchor River and Deep Creek combined.

Shellfish

• Another good series of clamming tides runs May 30-June 3.
• A free permit is required to take littleneck and butter clams in Kachemak Bay and must be in your possession while digging. You must log your harvest before leaving the digging site.
• Rebury any clams you dig, neck up, to prevent them from being washed away when the tide rises.
• The shrimp and crab fisheries are closed year-round due to low population levels.

Salt Water Fishing

• Good catches of halibut are being reported from Kachemak Bay. Most halibut are relatively small, but larger fish start showing up in late May and June. The farther out you go, the better chance to catch large halibut.
• Check the weather forecast before leaving shore because weather conditions can change rapidly.
• Rockfish are occasionally caught in Lower Cook Inlet while trolling for king salmon. Rockfish caught in less than 60 feet of water can usually survive release.
• The daily bag limit in Cook Inlet is five rockfish, only one of which may be a non-pelagic species. Check the rockfish identification pictures on page 10 in the 2003 Southcentral Alaska regulation booklet to identify non-pelagic species.
• More information about rockfish can be ordered from Alaska Sea Grant.

Fishing for Salmon in Saltwaters

• The saltwater troll fishery for king salmon has been good. Bluff Point to Stariski and Deep Creek to Ninilchik are the hot spots.
• Plastic hootchies or tube flies in green, chartreuse, or blue trolled behind dodgers/flashers are effective, as are spoons and spinners. Herring can improve success. Tractor launches are in operation.
• There are closed areas off the mouths of the Anchor River, Deep Creek, Ninilchik River and Stariski Creek, and other restrictions within one mile of shore from Bluff Point to Ninilchik. Please check page 13 of the 2003 reg book before going fishing. These restrictions are in place to protect early-run king salmon.
• Halibut Cove and Seldovia are reporting fair catches of king salmon. These fish are on the same schedule as the Homer fishing lagoon kings with the peak in mid-June and ending in early July. Spoons and spinners enhanced with salmon roe or herring are popular.

Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon

• Good numbers of early king salmon are now being caught in the Homer Spit fishing lagoon. The run peaks in mid-June and ends in early July.
• Herring seems to be working best for now, but anglers are also casting with lures, flies, salmon egg clusters, and shrimp. Snagging in the lagoon is not allowed until sometime in late June.
• In general, you can expect to catch fish at the Homer lagoon any time of day, but fishing is especially hot when the tide is flowing into the lagoon. Anglers have luck both inside and outside the lagoon.

Freshwater fishing -- Anchor River, Deep Creek, Ninilchik

• The lower portions of the Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik River open to king salmon fishing this weekend, starting at 12:01 a.m., Saturday, May 24. They close at 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 26. Salmon fishing is open only in the lower two miles of the streams, as defined by ADF&G markers.
• These are weekend-only fisheries. Bait and treble hooks are allowed. The king season on the Anchor River is open for 4 weekends, on Deep Creek and the Ninilchik River for 3 weekends.
• Low water is expected, and good fishing is anticipated. Due to last fall's floods, your favorite fishing hole may have moved or been completely eliminated. The Alaska Pacific River Forecast Center runs an excellent website with river level information.
• Once you keep your one daily king salmon 20 inches or longer from the Anchor River or Deep Creek, you may not continue to fish for anything in these streams for the remainder of the day.
• No more than 2 king salmon 20 inches or longer may be taken each year from the Anchor River and Deep Creek combined.

Shrimp and crab

• The shrimp and crab fisheries are closed year-round due to low population levels.

Clams

• The next series of good clamming tides begins May 30-June 3.
• A permit is required to take littleneck and butter clams within Kachemak Bay and you must have it with you on the beach, and record your catch before you leave the beach. The permit is free and is available at Fish & Game offices and major license vendors across Southcentral Alaska.
• You do not need a shellfish permit to harvest razor clams, just a sport fishing license. The bag limit for razors has been increased to the first 60 clams dug; the possession limit is two daily bag limits, or 120 razor clams.

IMPORTANT! Do you have your 2003 Cook Inlet-Resurrection Bay Shellfish permit? You must have one with you on the beach when digging steamer and butter clams in Kachemak Bay, and you must log your harvest on it before you leave the beach.

The permits are free at ADF&G offices and license vendors, but a fishing license is required. You can get one while you are purchasing your 2003 fishing license.

The 2003 Southcentral sport fishing regulation books are now available at any ADF&G office or on-line.

Call the Anchorage Sport Fish Information Center at (907) 267-2218 or the ADF&G Division of Sport Fish Homer Office at (907) 235-8191 for more information.

24-hour fishing information, fishing reports and Emergency Orders for the Lower Cook Inlet area are also recorded on two telephone hotlines: (907) 235-6930 Homer and (907) 267-2508 Anchorage.

Salt Water Fishing

• Some catches of halibut are being reported from Kachemak Bay. This early, most halibut are small, but larger fish show up in late May and early June. Generally, the farther out you go, the better your chances of catching large halibut.
• Check the National Weather Service (http://www.arh.noaa.gov/) before leaving shore. Weather conditions can change rapidly and fog is common in May.
• Rockfish are occasionally caught in Lower Cook Inlet while trolling for king salmon. Rockfish caught in less than 60 feet of water can usually survive release.
• The daily bag limit in Cook Inlet is five rockfish, only one of which may be a non-pelagic species. Page 10 of the 2003 Southcentral Alaska regulation booklet has a guide to identify non-pelagic species.
• More information about rockfish can be ordered from Alaska Sea Grant.

Fishing for Salmon in Salt Waters

• King salmon are arriving into the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon. Numbers should continue to build through the rest of May, and into early June. Salmon egg clusters seem to be working best for now.
• Snagging in the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon is not allowed until sometime in late June.
• Feeder king fishing has been good. Anglers are having success north of town fishing in the Bluff Point and Diamond Creek area. Point Pogibshi to the south has also been producing good catches.
• Plastic hootchies or tube flies in green, chartreuse, or blue, trolled behind dodgers/flashers are effective for salt water fishing for kings, as are variously colored spoons and spinners. Dressing the tackle with herring or using a hook baited with herring behind a flasher has been the most effective.
• Certain salt waters from the Ninilchik River to Bluff Pt. are closed to all fishing through June 30. Special harvest limits apply in some salt waters from Ninilchik to Bluff Pt. These restrictions are in place to protect early run king salmon. Check page 13 of the Southcentral Alaska regulation booklet before heading out to fish.
• In salt waters south of Bluff Point the daily limit for king salmon of any size is 2 per day/2 in possession. All harvested king salmon 20 inches or longer must be recorded on the back of your license, or on the Harvest Record Card.
• In salt waters north of Bluff Point, the daily bag limit for king salmon of any size is 1 per day/1 in possession. All harvested king salmon 20 inches or longer must be recorded on the back of your license or on the Harvest Record card.
• There is a seasonal limit of 5 king salmon 20 inches or longer from April 1 through September 30.

Fresh Waters

• Deep Creek, Ninilchik River and the Anchor River are closed to all fishing. These streams open to 3-day weekend fishing Saturday, May 24, at 12:01 a.m.
• We ask you to practice good stewardship techniques on fish you do not want to keep. Stewardship includes remove all hooks/lures from the head or entrails of harvested fish before discarding the carcasses into the ocean, river or lake.

Shrimp and crab

• The shrimp and crab fisheries are closed year-round due to low population levels.

Clams

• A permit is required before taking hardshell clams in Kachemak Bay.
• The next series of good clam tides will begin May 14-19.
• Butter clams and littleneck clams each have different size and limit restrictions. Pictures in the sport fishing regulation book can help you learn to recognize the differences to avoid taking undersized clams.
• Please re-bury, neck up, the hardshell clams you decide not to harvest. It is also good practice to fill in any holes dug in search of clams for the protection of the other beach creatures.
• Only a sport-fishing license is required to harvest razor clams. The limit is the first 60 razor clams dug. The road to Clam Gulch is graded and in good shape.
• Access roads to the Ninilchik beach north of the Ninilchik River are privately-owned and may be closed to the public.

IMPORTANT! Do you have your 2003 Cook Inlet-Resurrection Bay Shellfish permit? You must have one with you on the beach when digging steamer and butter clams in Kachemak Bay, and you must log your harvest on it before you leave the beach.

The permits are free at ADF&G offices and license vendors, but a fishing license is required. You can get one while you are purchasing your 2003 fishing license.

Don't forget to turn in your 2002 permit, even if you did not use it.

The 2003 Southcentral sport fishing regulation books are now available at any ADF&G office or on-line.

Call the Anchorage Sport Fish Information Center at (907) 267-2218 or the ADF&G Division of Sport Fish Homer Office at (907) 235-8191 for more information.

24-hour fishing information, fishing reports and Emergency Orders for the Lower Cook Inlet area are also recorded on two telephone hotlines: (907) 235-6930 Homer and (907) 267-2508 Anchorage.

Salt Water Fishing

• Some catches of halibut are being reported from Kachemak Bay. This early, most halibut are small, but larger fish show up in late May and early June. Generally, the farther out you go, the better your chances of catching large halibut.
• Check the National Weather Service (http://www.arh.noaa.gov/) before leaving shore. Weather conditions can change rapidly and fog is common in May.
• Rockfish are occasionally caught in Lower Cook Inlet while trolling for king salmon. Rockfish caught in less than 60 feet of water can usually survive release.
• The daily bag limit in Cook Inlet is five rockfish, only one of which may be a non-pelagic species. Page 10 of the 2003 Southcentral Alaska regulation booklet has a guide to identify non-pelagic species.
• More information about rockfish can be ordered from Alaska Sea Grant.

Fishing for Salmon in Salt Waters

• Feeder king fishing has been good. Anglers are having success north of town fishing in the Bluff Point and Diamond Creek area. Point Pogibshi to the south has also been producing good catches.
• Expect king salmon by mid-May at the Homer Spit Fishing Lagoon.
• Plastic hootchies or tube flies in green, chartreuse, or blue, trolled behind dodgers/flashers are effective for salt water fishing for kings, as are variously colored spoons and spinners. Dressing the tackle with herring or using a hook baited with herring behind a flasher has been the most effective.
• Sea-run Dolly Varden are available through early May, by fishing small silvery or orange spinners from shore off the tip of the Homer Spit.
• Certain salt waters from the Ninilchik River to Bluff Pt. are closed to all fishing April 1 through June 30. Special harvest limits apply in some salt waters from Ninilchik to Bluff Pt. These restrictions are in place to protect early run king salmon. Check page 13 of the Southcentral Alaska regulation booklet before heading out to fish.
• In saltwater, waters south of Bluff Point the daily limit for king salmon of any size is 2 per day/2 in possession. All harvested king salmon 20 inches or longer must be recorded on the back of your license, or on the Harvest Record Card.
• In salt waters north of Bluff Point, the daily bag limit for king salmon of any size is 1 per day/1 in possession. All harvested king salmon 20 inches or longer must be recorded on the back of your license or on the Harvest Record card.
• There is a seasonal limit of 5 king salmon 20 inches or longer from April 1 through September 30.

Fresh Waters

• Deep Creek, Ninilchik River and the Anchor River are closed to all fishing. These streams open to 3-day weekend fishing Saturday, May 24, at 12:01 a.m.
• We ask you to practice good stewardship techniques on fish you do not want to keep. Stewardship includes remove all hooks/lures from the head or entrails of harvested fish before discarding the carcasses into the ocean, river or lake.

Shrimp and crab

• The shrimp and crab fisheries are closed year-round due to low population levels.

Clams

• A permit is required before taking hardshell clams in Kachemak Bay. Mid-April brought some great low clam tides. The next series of good clam tides will begin May 14-20.
• Butter clams and littleneck clams each have different size and limit restrictions. Pictures in the sport fishing regulation book can help you learn to recognize the differences to avoid taking undersized clams.
• Please re-bury, neck up, the hardshell clams you decide not to harvest. It is also good practice to fill in any holes dug in search of clams for the protection of the other beach creatures.
• Only a sport-fishing license is required to harvest razor clams. The limit is the first 60 razor clams dug. The road to Clam Gulch is graded and in good shape.
• Access roads to the Ninilchik beach north of the Ninilchik River are privately-owned and may be closed to the public.