Fishing the
Eastern Kenai Peninsula

Pink (Humpy) Salmon

Pink Salmon are the smallest of the Pacific salmon with most fish weighing between three and six pounds. They are also known as the "humpback" or "humpies" because of the pronounced hump which develops on the back of the males prior to spawning.

Pink salmon are known to spawn in 12 tributaries to Resurrection Bay. Most of these fish spawn within a few miles of the ocean and spawning within the inter-tidal zone is not uncommon. Spawning usually occurs in August and early September. The eggs hatch in late winter and the small fish (alevins) swim up and out of the gravel in early spring. Pink salmon do not spend any length of time in fresh water, but migrate almost immediately to the ocean. Here they spend only one winter prior to returning to their parent stream the following year. This species is therefore known as a "two-year" fish which has the shortest life cycle of any Pacific salmon.

As pink salmon mature in two years, the odd-year and even-year populations are unrelated. In Resurrection Bay, the even-year cycle is usually dominant and returns the greatest numbers of fish to both the sport and commercial fisherman.

Over the years, the sport harvest of pink salmon in Resurrection Bay has ranged from 1,500 to 13,000 averaging between 5,000 and 6,000. These fish provide good action on light tackle and are available from early July through early September. Although the majority are taken by boat fishermen trolling herring or lures, shore fishermen also catch these fish. Popular areas for shore fishermen include Lowell Point and the beaches in the vicinity of Spring Creek. Anglers are allowed six salmon other than kings daily and in possession with no size restrictions.

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