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Alaska Department of Fish & Game's
Lower Kenai Peninsula - Homer area
Weekly Fishing Forecast
Disclaimer
This report is reproduced from information provided by Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Homer Office, and will be updated weekly throughout the fishing season. The same message can be accessed on their Record-A-Phone "Sportfishing Forecast" at (907) 235-6930.
| DATE: Week of JUNE 12, 2013 |
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- King salmon sport fishing is prohibited (including catch-and-release) within one mile of shore in marine waters south of the latitude of the mouth of the Ninilchik River to the latitude of Bluff Point.
- The Anchor River, Deep Creek, Ninilchik River and Stariski Creek are closed to sport fishing through July 15.
- Anglers are reminded that in waters closed to king salmon fishing, king salmon may not be targeted and that any king salmon caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
Razor Clams Emergency Order
- The razor clam bag and possession limit has been decreased to the first 25 clams dug beginning Thursday, May 23, 2013 through December 31, 2013.
- Diggers are reminded that possession limit refers to the number of unpreserved clams a person may have in their possession. Preserved is defined on page 5 of your regulation summary booklet.
- Hardshell clam diggers are reminded that the sport, personal use and subsistence bag and possession limits for littleneck and butter clams in Cook Inlet and Resurrection Bay is a combined limit of 80 clams. They are also reminded that the minimum size limit of littleneck clams is 1.5 inches in length across the widest part of the shell and the minimum size for butter clams is 2.5 inches in length across the widest part of the shell.
Additional Regulation Reminders
- Lingcod season is closed until July 1.
- Early-season halibut fishing is fair to good though most fish are small. The fishery will improve as more fish move from deep, overwintering waters back to the shallower summer feeding areas. Some larger fish are being harvested in the sport fishery. Sampled fish landed in the Homer harbor over the past week averaged 10.7 lbs. (range of 4.0 - 204 lbs.).
- The Department has received a few reports of "mushy" halibut this season. The flesh of these fish is very soft or flabby, sometimes with pockets of jelly-like tissue, and fish are mushy after being cooked as well. Experience during years of high prevalence of this condition (1998, 2005, 2001-12) shows that the incidence of these fish can be high for anglers fishing certain locales, so if you catch a fish that feels flabby or does not look as robust and rounded as a healthy halibut should, release it immediately unharmed and consider moving to a different area to avoid these fish. Department research on this condition is ongoing.
- Trolling success beyond one mile from shore Bluff Point north and Point Pogibshi and Bear Cove for feeder king salmon is reported as fair to good.
- Popular trolling set-ups for king salmon include herring, hootchies, tube flies, and spoons. Try using dodgers or flashers for extra attraction.
- King salmon fishing is improving at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon on the Homer Spit.
- King salmon are showing up in Halibut Cove Lagoon.
- Lingcod may not be harvested until July 1.
- Rockfish caught in deep water suffer injuries from decompression. Recent research by Department staff indicates that survival of released rockfish can be substantially improved by releasing fish at the depth of capture. For more information on the use of deep water release mechanisms, see the department's Web page at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishingSportFishingInfo.rockfishconservation
- Fishing off the end of the Homer Spit can be a fun way to pass the time. Species available include Walleye pollock, Pacific cod, and a variety of flatfish species.
- Clamming tides run through June 12 then June 21-28. Included in the later series of clamming tides are some minus 5 ft. tides.
- Digging for razor clams on Ninilchik beaches is poor. Expect to find many small clams and very few large clams.
- Littleneck (steamer) and butter clams can be found in gravel beaches on the south side of Kachemak Bay from Seldovia to Chugachik Island.
- Good numbers of butter clams are found on the islands in China Poot Bay. Butter clams can be found up to 2 ft deep.
- Littleneck clams can be found on in a variety of habitats from Jakolof Bay to Bear Cove. Try exploring new beaches for success. Typically, littleneck clams are found shallower in the substrate, up to 8 inches deep.
- All shrimp and crab fisheries in Kachemak Bay are currently closed.
- The Anchor River sonar daily and cumulative counts are available on the Sport Fish web site or by calling the Homer ADF&G office.
- Some lakes on the Kenai Peninsula are still somewhat frozen.
- The numerous Kenai Peninsula stocked lakes provide great fishing opportunities. A brochure listing the locations of the stocked lakes is available on the Sport Fish web site and at ADF&G offices.
Good luck fishing!!
This concludes the Homer - Lower Kenai Peninsula fishing forecast.
The Fish and Game web page was redesigned. Below are some useful links.
Fishing regulations
Fish identification
Weir counts and sonar estimates
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