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Updated August 4, 2017
FISH CREEK YOUTH FISHERY OPENS SATURDAY: Anglers 15 years and younger will have the opportunity to catch a salmon or trout in Fish Creek this weekend, August 5 and 6 from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Adults may assist but not fish themselves. The daily bag limit is 3 salmon greater than 16 inches, of which only 2 may be silver salmon. There are currently fair numbers of red, silver, and pink salmon present along with a few chums, rainbows, and Dollies. For best success, go early on opening day or fish the tides.
Updated July 10, 2017
RESURRECTION CREEK (HOPE): Fair number of pinks now present; try tidewater area of stream or sight-fish holes above road crossing. Chums starting.
RUSSIAN RIVER: Early run of reds slowing down considerably; wait until late run begins in ten days to two weeks.
LOWER KENAI RIVER: Dip netting begins today; number of reds entering river accelerating as main push is less than a week away. Big, late-run kings present.
NINILCHIK RIVER: River is open to fishing for hatchery kings through October 31; a few chrome kings are still coming in but most are blushed. Open daily.
KLUTINA RIVER: Reds are slow but kings are now starting to arrive in small numbers.
TONSINA RIVER: Few reds and kings present yet but runs are just beginning to build.
PORT VALDEZ: Pink salmon numbers building daily; fair to good opportunities at Allison Point. Expect excellent catches shortly as main run arrives.
Updated July 5, 2017
Listing of what is happening in waters not covered in the weekly fishing report:
CAMPBELL CREEK: Fair to good fishing for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden, mainly in areas upstream of Lake Otis Boulevard. Kings and reds will begin spawning shortly.
BIRD CREEK: Closed to all fishing through July 13; pink salmon are entering stream.
GLACIER CREEK: Fair to good Dolly Varden fishing in deep holes on lower stream and on tides. Pink salmon starting to arrive.
PORTAGE CREEK: Fair action for Dolly Varden in tidal areas of stream. Red and pink salmon starting to appear.
INGRAM CREEK: Fair opportunities for Dolly Varden in tidal area. Pinks due any day.
SIXMILE CREEK: A few pink and chum salmon and Dolly Varden present in or near tidewater.
RESURRECTION CREEK (HOPE): A small number of pink salmon arriving on tides; expect first chums any day. Fair to good Dolly Varden fishing on incoming/high tide.
QUARTZ CREEK: Fair number of Dolly Varden present in middle and lower stream along with a few rainbows. Red salmon beginning to arrive.
ANCHOR & NINILCHIK RIVERS, DEEP CREEK: Lower streams open to all species, except kings. Fair to good Dolly Varden fishing. Few pinks available.
DUDIAK LAGOON: Poor to fair fishing for king salmon; run is ending. A few silvers starting to show up on tides.
KLUTINA RIVER: Poor to fair fishing for red salmon; limits possible if in right place at right time. Kings slow. Fair Dolly Varden action in upper river near lake.
ALLISON POINT (VALDEZ): Only a few pinks present right now but run will arrive in a matter of days.
SALCHA RIVER: Kings arriving; poor fishing. Grayling fair to good upstream.
CHENA RIVER: Kings arriving; poor fishing. Grayling good to excellent upstream.
Updated June 23, 2017
CAMPBELL CREEK YOUTH KING SALMON FISHERY OPENS SATURDAY: Anglers 15 years and younger will have the opportunity to catch a king salmon in Campbell Creek this weekend, June 24-25. Adults may assist but not fish themselves. The daily bag limit is 1 king greater than 20 inches and counts toward the regional seasonal limit of 5 salmon. The following is a brief summary of conditions observed this afternoon, Friday, June 23, and may or may not change depending on weather and water conditions and fish migrations.
The area surveyed was from the Old Seward Highway downstream to Dimond Boulevard, the exact section of Campbell Creek that is open to king fishing. There does not appear to be very large numbers of king salmon in the stream but enough to make for some decent opportunities for those hitting the water early in the morning. Most all major holes and pools contained at least a few to a dozen or more salmon but there were some empty stretches as well. Choice locations include those adjacent to Taku-Campbell Lake off King Street and spots just upstream of Dimond bridge. Approximately 80% of kings spotted already had a degree of color setting in but only few were too dark to be considered for good consumption. The remaining 20% of kings were chrome or mostly bright and appeared to be more prevalent lower down in the drainage, yet individual fish were observed in upstream holes also.
Size range was generally 12 to 20 pounds, with an occasional large king estimated to weigh from 25 up to 40 pounds. Salmon up to 50 pounds or more may be present.
Given the lack of large concentrations of fish, it is imperative to be out on the water very early on Saturday for greatest success, preferably a spot staked out before the stream officially opens at 6 a. m. Action should be good the first few hours on Saturday morning, becoming spotty later on in the day as fish are caught and likely removed from the stream. However, there will be a trickle of kings moving into the open area throughout the weekend so opportunities will still prevail, particularly near the Dimond Boulevard crossing.
There are also a fair number of red salmon scattered about in the stream; these fish may not be targeted and if caught must be released immediately. In addition, rainbow trout and Dolly Varden are present which are legal species to target.
Water conditions are low and clear and not expected to change unless heavy rain hits the area. Tip: Wear polarized glasses to better spot fish.
Updated June 9, 2017
RUSSIAN RIVER OPENS SUNDAY: Fishing for red salmon and rainbow trout is expected to be good to excellent on opening day this coming Sunday (6/11). Large concentrations of salmon are present in most of the larger and more popular holes on the river near and below the campground. Water levels are still quite low and very clear so sight-fishing will be superb for those skilled at the art of spotting and targeting salmon. Cloudy and rainy weather forecast for this weekend should only help the situation given the low water. However, a word of wisdom to anglers tempting this famed fishery on Sunday is to be on the water very early as fish tend to spook later in the morning and midday. There are quite a few big rainbows still around from the spawn and they can be easily seen as well. Use forage flies at first light, perhaps switching to flesh and egg imitation flies later on in the day as anglers gut their salmon and the trout will zero in on scraps at the cleaning stations.
If heavy rain persists through Sunday and into Monday, anglers can expect a number of reds to bust up into the Russian from the sanctuary in cover of the night. Those fortunate enough to be on the river Monday morning will likely experience some truly excellent action. However, if the rain holds up and skies clear, try at dawn to see if schools of salmon moved in and then hike and fish the confluence of the Russian and Upper Kenai rivers below the sanctuary. There will typically be a steady stream of salmon coming through the larger Kenai all day long so patience and persistence is the key to taking home a load of fish.
Updated June 5, 2017
SHIP CREEK: Fair number of king salmon arriving on tides. Fishing has been spotty to mediocre depending on day and tide but should turn good by next weekend.
20-MILE RIVER: Fair number of hooligan still being caught. Dip netting is quickly slowing down as run tapers off.
PASSAGE CANAL: Small schools of king and red salmon along with a few chums present at west end of canal near tunnel. Very little angling pressure.
RESURRECTION BAY: Fair to good numbers of red salmon moving through mouth of Resurrection River; snagging good some days, generally fair with 2-3 fish per angler common. Some kings available at mouth of Scheffler Creek (Seward Lagoon stream).
RUSSIAN RIVER: Opens to fishing on June 11. Red salmon are arriving; schools of fish are moving through river but not great numbers yet. Big rainbows present.
UPPER KENAI RIVER: Opens to fishing on June 11. Decent number of red salmon are present, mainly just downstream of Russian confluence. Most of early run is still below Skilak Lake.
LOWER KENAI RIVER: Good to excellent fishing for king salmon this year. Many larger fish being caught, 20-55 pounds. One 80-pounder released. Decent run of reds passing through Soldotna and Sterling on way to Russian River; good fishing possible in locations. Water is very low and clear.
KASILOF RIVER: Good fishing for kings and fair for reds. Boaters doing best on kings but shore anglers getting better by the day. Dolly Varden available.
NINILCHIK RIVER: Good number of kings present, run is peaking. Opens to fishing again on Saturday.
DEEP CREEK: Good number of kings present, run is peaking. Opens to fishing again on Saturday.
ANCHOR RIVER: Good number of kings present, run is peaking. Opens to fishing again on Wednesday.
DUDIAK LAGOON: King salmon return should be peaking this week; fishing is fair to good.
EKLUTNA TAILRACE: A few kings are starting to show up but still slow action.
LITTLE SUSITNA RIVER: Kings are finally beginning to move through lower access point; fair to good catches reported. Some reds and even a few early chums showing up.
WILLOW CREEK: A few kings being caught at Susitna confluence. Rainbows and grayling good upstream.
LITTLE WILLOW CREEK: No kings reported at road crossing yet. Rainbows and grayling good.
KASHWITNA RIVER: A few kings present at Susitna confluence. Rainbows and grayling good upstream.
SHEEP CREEK: Kings just starting to show up at Susitna confluence. Rainbows and grayling good upstream.
MONTANA CREEK: King salmon trickling into Susitna confluence; no salmon reported upstream yet. Rainbows and grayling good in middle and upper sections.
RABIDEUX CREEK: A few kings have arrived at Susitna confluence. Rainbows and grayling fair upstream.
GULKANA RIVER: Small schools of red salmon along with a few kings moving through lower river between mouth and Sourdough. Very little angling pressure. Rainbows and grayling good upstream.
KLUTINA RIVER: Red salmon are arriving. Fishing could be good or better by next weekend. Closed to kings until July 1.
Updated June 4, 2017
RUSSIAN RIVER REDS ARRIVING: After a mere trickle of reds the last week, the forefront of the actual run is now building at the mouth of the river with schools of salmon moving upstream. As of Saturday afternoon (6/3), a few of the deeper holes and runs of the river near the campground contained several dozen fish with an estimated 300 reds observed between the Pink Salmon parking lot and the upper limit of the Sanctuary on the Russian. Considerably more fish could be seen holding within the sanctuary itself downstream to the ferry crossing area on the upper Kenai. The Russian River Falls also has salmon beginning to concentrate in numbers and some fish have made it into Russian Lakes. There are a fair number of large rainbow trout present in the river.
Water conditions on the Russian River are currently very low and clear with fish movement seemingly taking place during low light hours. If clear, sunny skies and low water prevail up until the season opener on June 11, expect reduced numbers of salmon to proceed into the Russian. However, given some cloudy and rainy days and a slight increase in water level, we should see a good push of reds into the fishing area and some potential worthwhile action on opening day.
Additional updates will follow in the days leading up to the season opener.
Updated May 30, 2017
KENAI RIVER RED SALMON ARRIVING: The early run of primarily Russian River red salmon is moving through the lower Kenai between Cook Inlet and Skilak Lake. Jumpers have been observed for nearly a week at the Moose River confluence, a good indication of the run having started. Although difficult to target sometimes in the large Kenai River this time of year, anglers positioning themselves correctly relative to current flow and depth at the main channel are finding a few salmon. However, patience is the key in success as these early fish tend to come through in smaller spurts; expect slow fishing for maybe a couple of hours, then suddenly quick hookups. Depending on run size, action could be fair to good in locations between Soldotna and Bing’s Landing by this coming weekend and into next week.
Updated May 30, 2017
NINILCHIK RIVER KING SALMON OPENER: Despite intermittent heavy rains in the area mid-week, the water dropped and cleared enough for the Saturday morning opener to be a success with anglers catching a fair number of kings ranging from 10 to 22 pounds. Drifting salmon eggs and casting spinners proved to be the hot items of choice for bringing in a salmon. While the evening tide saw very little action in the harbor area, the Sunday morning tide (according to a source) was excellent at the river mouth with plenty of kings caught. The evening tide again proved very slow with only a few fish taken. Water levels kept dropping by several inches through the weekend. If current water conditions hold for the next weekend, we should see good to excellent fishing Saturday morning as there is a good slug of kings just now preparing to head upstream.
Neighboring Deep Creek flowed quite high and silty but fish were being caught, although not in the numbers as on the Ninilchik. However, on average, there were larger kings brought in, including a couple of specimens in the 30-pound range.
Steelhead were very numerous in southern peninsula waters, including Anchor, Deep, and Ninilchik. It appears that the main spawn has finished and these sea-run rainbows are now quickly moving downstream and entering Cook Inlet. Some anglers reported catching up to half a dozen or more trout.
The ADF&G king salmon weir on the Ninilchik is operational for the 2017 season but only a small number of fish have passed through as of today. Click here for details.
Updated May 23, 2017
SEWARD REDS STARTING: The trickle of salmon over the past week into the Resurrection River is now turning to a consistent flow of fish. There are not a lot of reds yet but enough to target using the snagging method. Each tide will produce fish for anglers although the actual number coming through will tend to vary by considerable margins this early in the run; some days will be spotty at best, other days quite good. Opportunities should be generally fair this Memorial Day weekend. Focus efforts on the mouth of Resurrection River off Nash Road or scout the marine waters around Spring Creek (also Nash Road). Only a few individual anglers are fishing these locations as of this update but bound to spike the next several days. Please be informed of area that is open to salmon fishing by checking the map provided in the ADF&G fishing regulations booklet for Seward and Resurrection Bay.
Updated May 23, 2017
WHITTIER KINGS TRICKLE IN: Individual fish and small schools of three or four salmon have been sighted cruising the waters of the western end of Passage Canal near the tunnel. No reports of any kings being caught yet but the first few catches should occur sometime this weekend. There could also be a few reds and chums in the mix of salmon available. Sight fishing off the rock cliffs above the southern shoreline of the canal is a popular and highly effective way of targeting these fish when the water is clear, as it recently has been. The kings returning to Whittier are notoriously aggressive to artificials and large spoons and spinners will likely get pounced if cast in the path of moving fish. To successfully get reds, most anglers here snag them. Very few anglers are currently fishing these waters.
Updated May 22, 2017
KENAI RIVER KING SALMON: As the early and late runs of king salmon on the Kenai River have suffered in numbers for years now relative to historical highs, there may be at least some positive developments in progress. While king anglers on the Kenai have come to expect poor early season prospects and success, word is that there are fish being caught in the upper tidal areas of the river around Honeymoon Cove. Not only that but the size of salmon being brought to boat is more aligned with catches of the past. One Kenai guide has been on the water fishing the last 10 days or so and done very well, averaging one king per trip with some days bringing multiple hook-ups and up to three fish released. Along with the new regulation this year requiring kings to be less than 36 inches long in order to be retained, it is a pleasant surprise to learn that the vast majority of kings were greater than 36 inches and estimated to have weighed between 30 and 50 pounds. This revelation is a huge improvement over the last several years where small fish appears to have dominated the runs. Only time will tell if this is an anomaly or if the runs are beginning to recover not only in terms of numbers of salmon returning but the size of kings as well.
With expectations of another poor king return, the river has seen very little angling activity so far this season. This may change quickly pending news of the relatively good fishing available right now.
Updated May 21, 2017
ANCHOR RIVER KING SALMON OPENER: The season on this lower peninsula stream came with mixed fanfare. Although the river was in overall good shape on Saturday morning, revealing low water levels and just a bit of brown tint, anglers experienced anywhere from dead slow to relatively excellent action depending on section of river they happened to focus on. While a few fish were landed throughout the river from near the forks downstream to the mouth, the best fishing by far happened to be in a couple of holes in the tidewater area. As most anglers (numbering in the dozens at any one time), struggled to get even a single hit, some fortunate souls found themselves catching–as well as releasing–multiple nice fish ranging from 12 to over 20 pounds. With low water and small tides, it appears many kings chose to hold in a couple of spots at the upper edge of tidal activity instead of challenging more shallow, upstream areas, much to the delight of the people that happened to be there. Drifting salmon roe appeared to be the hot item for most kings landed but a few were taken on flies in faster sections of the river higher up, between the Upper Grass Hole and the Slide Hole.
A few hundred kings have escaped upstream according to ADF&G data; however, the latest record from yesterday showed a net loss of five fish. With the strong showing from earlier in the week, Friday and Saturday’s numbers dropped significantly, partly due to small high tides keeping salmon low in the drainage and perhaps partly due to heavy angling pressure downstream of the weir. One angler, without a king bite after long hours of casting, speculated the sonar counts reflected counts of steelhead trout and not kings as a fair number of these sea-run rainbows were caught on opening day.
Angler success was poor throughout the area open to king fishing on Sunday morning with very few kings hooked. About a dozen anglers fishing the incoming tide had zero salmon to show for their efforts and no kings had been spotted surfacing or jumping with the rising water. The good news may be that private anglers and guides are reporting good to excellent success in the salt between Anchor Point and Ninilchik, perhaps an indication of things to come for next weekend.
Updated May 18, 2017
SHIP CREEK: King salmon are arriving. A few were caught on the big tides this week and things should only improve from now on. Smaller high tides means longer periods of productive fishing without being flooded out. Fish the incoming, high, and outgoing tides this weekend using clusters of salmon roe with a bobber or size 5 or 6 spinners in blue/silver combination.
PASSAGE CANAL/WHITTIER: While there are a very few feeder kings in the canal right now, the mature hatchery salmon usually take some time getting here. None have been sighted yet. There should be a few reds or even chums showing up any day now at the west end of the canal.
RESURRECTION RIVER/SEWARD: A smattering of red salmon are reportedly entering this glacial river but very little angling effort is currently being done. Expect long hours or even a day worth for one or two fish this early in the season. Consistent flow of salmon usually takes place right around Memorial Day weekend most years. No catches of hatchery kings yet off the beach.
KENAI RIVER: Kings are moving into the river but fishing is still slow according to reports. A few early reds are thought to have been sighted near tidewater, which is normal for this time of year. In fact, locals that know the area well usually catch the first red right about May 15 most years. A small number of hooligan are entering the mouth of the river and should make a larger appearance very shortly. Halibut are present at the river mouth as well and can be caught on high tides using herring as bait.
KASILOF RIVER: Fair number of king salmon arriving on the tides but fishing for them has been slow to poor due to low water conditions. Focus on that stretch of river from the People Hole down through tidewater. First red due within week. Halibut action off the river mouth has been quite good this past week. The small tides this weekend are not ideal for surf-casting targeting these fish, however.
NINILCHIK RIVER: King salmon are present in the harbor and other upstream areas. Water conditions are just slightly high still due to last of snowmelt. Another more detailed report on this fishery will follow before the Memorial Day weekend opener.
ANCHOR RIVER: Fair number of kings are present for the opener this weekend. Fish are spread from the forks downstream to river mouth. Water conditions are quite good but not perfect; a bit high and turbid and cold still but at least salmon are there to be caught.
DUDIAK LAGOON: Small number of kings arriving on the tides. The neap tides this weekend and into next week are not conducive to bringing in any substantial numbers of fish. There are a lot of mature kings in the bay so that could be a good sign of things to come for the next big tide series.
EKLUTNA TAILRACE: Water levels, flow, and turbidity are increasing and should bring in a few kings by next week. No reports of fish caught yet but there should be a few at mouth of stream at Knik River confluence.
LITTLE SUSITNA RIVER: First king of season passed weir two days ago. Expect first fish to be caught this weekend or early next week. There are a few trout and char in the river also.
WILLOW CREEK: No sign of kings yet. Expect first salmon to be spotted or caught early next week. Kings have been landed as early as May 9 previous years. Trout, grayling, and char are being brought in at mouth of stream.
KASHWITNA RIVER: First king salmon due in about a week. Rainbows and grayling present and available from river mouth to highway bridge and beyond.
MONTANA CREEK: First king salmon due in about ten days. Anglers are catching a number of trout and grayling at mouth of stream as well as in some spots above the highway.
Updated May 16, 2017
TURNAGAIN ARM HOOLIGAN: Dip netting remains excellent in inner Turnagain Arm and lower 20-Mile River. Reports of coolers being filled in minutes is not without merit, at least this was the case over the weekend. The outgoing tide at its peak produced an average of 5 to 10 fish per dip with nets sweeping empty being the exception. Those using larger, square-like nets were often bringing in between 15 to 20 smelt per dip. Best fishing appeared to be from 1 hour to 4 hours after the high tide mark. Peak high tide in the Portage area of Turnagain Arm occurs approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour after the Port of Anchorage peak high tide as described in tide books. However, with a series of smaller tides coming up later this week and over the weekend that affects water levels minimally at the head of the arm, dip netters should adjust their timing and location accordingly as fish can move through at any stage of the tide depending on the spot. It may also take tidewater fish a few hours after high tide to reach 20-Mile River some days.
Dip netters have noticed a larger percentage of very small and skinny hooligan this year. While Turnagain Arm smelt typically average 6 to 8 inches in length, there appears to be fewer very large fish this season with a number only measuring as little as 4 to 5 inches and not much bigger than a sardine. Many dippers resort to putting the smaller hooligan back into the water in catch-and-release fashion. Also, an eye should be kept out for Dolly Varden that are currently moving out of area rivers and streams to feed for the summer in waters of the arm as many of these fish regularly end up in dip nets and coolers along with hooligan. Remember, it is illegal to harvest sea-run char with dip nets and any fish caught must be released.
Updated May 12, 2017
20-MILE RIVER/TURNAGAIN ARM: Large numbers of hooligan are beginning to hit the beaches of Turnagain Arm and the mouth of 20-Mile River. Excellent success can be had from the rocks between Peterson Creek and 20-Mile River with dippers reporting filling a bucket of silvery smelt in 30-45 minutes or even less. The outgoing tide has been best so far. The main bulk of the run should come through now and for the next week to ten days.
SHIP CREEK: A few king salmon are now appearing in this downtown Anchorage stream. Rollers have been spotted on incoming tides but angling effort has remained very subdued so far this year. It is only a matter of a couple of days or maybe even hours before the first salmon of the season is landed here.
ANCHOR RIVER: King salmon are arriving on this southern peninsula stream. Some fish are being spotted on the tides and a couple of salmon passed through the ADF&G weir yesterday. Water conditions are still stabilizing from the snowmelt but should be in decent shape for the king opener on May 20.
Updated May 9, 2017
20-MILE RIVER/TURNAGAIN ARM: Good catches of hooligan can now be had along the rocky shoreline of the arm between Peterson Creek and the Portage Flats, dippers spending on average about 2 to 3 hours to fill a large bucket of hooligan. Outgoing and low tides have been producing the best catches. Nearby 20-Mile River is slowly catching up with spotty to fair results depending on the tide. Boaters heading upstream to above tidewater are reporting pockets of fish here and there and decent success.
Updated May 4, 2017
SHIP CREEK: Water conditions here are prime for receiving kings. We should start seeing the first few fish arrive any day now. A couple of anglers have tried their luck already but no catches or sightings of salmon yet.
EKLUTNA TAILRACE: No kings reported seen or caught. Very little angling activity thus far this season. Water is relatively clear still.
LITTLE SUSITNA RIVER: No signs of kings yet on lower river near boat landing. Typically, there are a few fish in the tidal area by now and they will take some days to work their way upstream.
RESURRECTION RIVER: A few people have scouted the water here already but no sign of reds thus far. However, there have been a couple of jumpers out in the bay so should be at least some activity in another week or so if this runs develops according to normal timing.
20-MILE RIVER: Hooligan have started to appear in this river and along shores of Turnagain Arm. Dippers have done poor to fair depending on the tide and location.
RUSSIAN RIVER: Closed to fishing until June 11.
UPPER KENAI RIVER: Closed to fishing until June 11.
LOWER KENAI RIVER: No kings reported caught yet but historically there are a few fish in this river by May 1 any given year. First reds due in about a week to ten days.
KASILOF RIVER: A few early kings are now present in tidewater but no word of any angler having hooked or landed one. The steelhead fishery is at a peak.
NINILCHIK RIVER: Water is somewhat high and off color but should be in great shape by Memorial Day Weekend opener. No sightings of kings as of now but normally there are at least a few in the harbor area by this date.
DEEP CREEK: Unlike Ninilchik, this stream is running high and murky. Barring any heavy rains, water conditions should be fishable by the king salmon opener in a few weeks. No kings spotted in tidewater as yet.
ANCHOR RIVER: Running somewhat high and murky right now, which is typical for this time of year. The river opens to king fishing on May 20 and should be fishable by then if no heavy rains hit the area. ADF&G has the North Fork weir up and functioning as of yesterday (May 3); no kings passed through on the first day. No kings reported seen in tidewater but there should be a few.
DUDIAK LAGOON: Very few anglers have tempted the fishing hole so far this season but there has been at least one king salmon caught already, on May 1. Expect a few more kings to be caught from now on into next week; use herring on outgoing tide.