Fishing the
Eastern Kenai Peninsula

Ninety-five percent of the Kenai Peninsula is bordered by saltwater. And no one can refute the fact that the Kenai Peninsula fisheries are some of the most productive in North America. Fully 40% of all Alaska sport fishing occurs within its 16,000 square miles.

This article will provide extensive information on all the available fisheries on the eastern side of the Peninsula with its primary focus on Seward and the Resurrection Bay areas. This material will give interested anglers information on the types of fish present, locations of the fish, and the periods each fishery is most productive. Additionally there is information discussing various fishing techniques which have proven to be most successful over the years.

Seward is a quaint little seaside community catering to tourism and commercial fishing industries. Many events and celebrations are held in this town during the summer season and the Fourth of July sees 10-20,000 revelers swarm the area for the Mt. Marathon race and fireworks. Later in the summer the Seward Silver Salmon Derby begins in August and draws major participation from Alaskans and visitors alike. You can read all about this derby in our Fishing Derbies section.

Orientation

The eastern Kenai Peninsula, including Resurrection Bay, offers diverse recreational opportunity. In addition to fresh and saltwater fishing, the area offers spectacular scenery and the chance to view Alaska's wildlife. The area is easily reached via Alaska's road system. Seward Highway extends 127 miles from Anchorage to Seward. The coastal community of Seward is located at the head (north end) of Resurrection Bay and provides the jumping off point for those who utilize this popular saltwater area. At Mile 38, Seward Highway joins Sterling Highway. Sterling Highway provides access to the western Kenai Peninsula and terminates on the shores of Kachemak Bay in Homer.

The primary species sought by sport anglers in Resurrection Bay are King (Chinook), coho (silver), and pink (humpy) salmon, Dolly Varden, halibut, various species of rockfish and lingcod. While salmon fishing is prohibited in all Resurrection Bay freshwater drainages, fishing for other species such as rainbow trout, Arctic grayling, lake trout, and Dolly Varden is permitted in area lakes and streams. King salmon in Resurrection Bay are hatchery stocks (fish that spent part of their life cycle in a hatchery). The Bay's populations of coho salmon are comprised of both wild and hatchery stocks as are the rainbow trout populations in area lakes. All other fresh and saltwater species are comprised of wild stocks.

Information on the following pages is presented to familiarize the recreational angler with the many sport fishing opportunities in this area. A brief description of the major fisheries is presented as are the approximate dates when each species is available. Please not that the information provided is of a general nature and that fishing success rates and the availability of a given species vary from day to day and year to year.

Before fishing this area, remember to consult a current copy of Sport Fishing Summary for the North Gulf Coast, Prince William Sound, and the Upper Copper and Upper Susitna River Drainages. These booklets are available without charge wherever fishing licenses are sold or from Alaska Department of Fish and Game offices. The Department of Fish and Game may modify bag limits or open or close seasons and/or areas at any time by emergency order. When these situations occur, the information is transmitted to the public via newspaper, radio and television, as well as being available at all Fish and Game offices.

Follow the links below for information on the various species of fish available to the sport angler along the eastern Kenai Peninsula.

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