Updated September 12, 2018
MATANUSKA-SUSITNA VALLEYS:
EAST FORK CHULITNA RIVER: Low and clear. Moderate number of blush/dark silvers, a few spawning chums. Good for rainbows, fair grayling.
BYERS CREEK: Flowing low and clear. Good number of silvers but very few bright ones; reds are spawning in upper stream, a few chums left. Good rainbow fishing.
RABIDEUX CREEK: Low and clear. Lots of silvers but very few fresh ones left. Fair rainbow fishing upper stream. Burbot fair at mouth.
SUNSHINE CREEK: Low and clear. Decent number of salmon at mouth, very few fresh silvers and chums. Burbot fair at mouth.
MONTANA CREEK: Low and clear. Fair number of silvers at mouth, very few fresh ones left; a few semi-bright chums present. Rainbows and grayling good to excellent upstream.
GOOSE CREEK: Low and clear. Fair number of silvers throughout lower stream, very few nice ones; a handful of spawning chums present. Rainbows, grayling good upstream.
SHEEP CREEK: Low and clear. Good number of silvers throughout lower stream, very few are still bright; small number of spawning chums. Rainbows, grayling good to excellent.
CASWELL CREEK: Low and clear. Small number of salmon at mouth, very few fresh silvers coming through. Burbot fair at mouth.
KASHWITNA RIVER: Relatively low and slightly silty. A few nice silvers still present; a few old reds and chums present. Rainbows and grayling good; whitefish showing.
LITTLE WILLOW CREEK: Low and clear. Very few bright silvers present down low, most are turning; occasional chum. Rainbows, grayling good to excellent upstream.
WILLOW CREEK: Low and clear. Very few bright/semi-bright silvers throughout lower stream, most are dark; a few chums present. Rainbows, grayling good to excellent upstream.
LITTLE SUSITNA RIVER: Moderate flow, clearing up. Lots of silvers in middle and upper reaches, most turning, very few bright/semi-bright ones available; few chums. Rainbows fair.
COTTONWOOD CREEK: Low and clear. Silver salmon run tapering off, very few fresh fish on tides. Rainbows good in upper reaches.
FISH CREEK: Low and clear. Small number of silvers arriving on tides; trickle of reds still coming in. Rainbows, Dolly Varden fair upstream.
WASILLA CREEK: Low and clear. Many silvers but majority are turning, a few bright/semi-bright ones present; reds and chums nearly gone.
EKLUTNA TAILRACE: Moderate flow, silty. Very few fresh silvers left, most are blush/dark; occasional red, chum. Dolly Varden poor.
JIM CREEK: Low and clear. Silver run slowing down, fair number of fresh ones left at mouth; trickle of reds. Dolly Varden good upper stream.
ANCHORAGE AREA-TURNAGAIN ARM:
SHIP CREEK: Low and clear. A few fresh silvers coming in on tides, some are turning; pinks and chums largely gone.
CAMPBELL CREEK: Low and clear. Lots of silvers in spots, most are turning, very few fresh ones available in lower stream. Rainbows, Dolly Varden good to excellent in upper stream.
BIRD CREEK: Low and clear. Small number of fresh silvers arriving on tides, run is slowing down; pinks and chums are gone.
GLACIER CREEK: Relatively low and slightly silty. Very few silvers available; some spawning reds, pinks, chums present.
PORTAGE CREEK: Low and silty. Most of silvers found in middle/upper stream but small number of chrome fish still arriving on tides; reds, chums are spawning. Char fair.
INGRAM CREEK: Low and clear. Small number of fresh silvers present on high tides, run is ending; pinks and chums are gone.
RESURRECTION CREEK: Low and clear. A trickle of fresh silvers on tides, run is ending, search upstream for more fish; very few pinks and chums left.
SIXMILE CREEK: Low and relatively clear. Very few fresh silvers left, most are blush or dark; pinks and chums are gone. Dolly Varden poor to fair in upper areas.
KENAI PENINSULA:
PASSAGE CANAL/WHITTIER: A few bright silvers are being caught at end of canal and the cove east of town; a few dark reds, pinks, chums present. Bottomfish fair.
RESURRECTION BAY/SEWARD: Lots of silvers off beaches in front of town, many fish are turning but some chrome left; a few pinks present. Bottomfish fair to good.
RESURRECTION RIVER: Moderate flow and silty. No/very little angling effort. Moderate number of silvers arriving on tides depending on day; a few reds and pinks present.
QUARTZ CREEK: Low and clear. Fair Dolly Varden fishing, a few rainbows available; some reds and silvers present.
UPPER KENAI RIVER: Moderate flow and semi-clear. Excellent rainbow trout and Dolly Varden opportunities; kings and reds are spawning. Some bright/semi-bright silvers left.
RUSSIAN RIVER: Very low and clear; great sight-fishing conditions. Red salmon season ended August 20. Fair number of nice silvers left; reds spawning. Trout and char fair to good.
SWANSON RIVER: Low and clear. Small number of fresh silvers arriving on tides; salmon plentiful upstream but turning dark. Rainbows good to excellent in upper reaches.
LOWER/MIDDLE KENAI RIVER: Moderate flow and clarity. Late-run silvers arriving in/near tidewater; fair. A few bright/semi-bright pinks and reds present. Trout and char excellent upstream of Sterling.
KASILOF RIVER: Moderate flow and silty. A few early-run silvers left, late run starting in tidewater. Steelhead trout are showing in small numbers. Dolly Varden fair.
NINILCHIK RIVER: Low and clear. Silvers down to a trickle, run is ending. A few steelhead trout being caught in lower stream. Dolly Varden fair in upper reaches.
DEEP CREEK: Low and clear. Silvers down to a trickle, run is ending. Steelhead trout present in fair numbers in lower stream. Dolly Varden fair in upper reaches.
ANCHOR RIVER: Low and clear. Silvers down to a trickle, run is ending. Steelhead trout present in fair numbers in lower stream. Dolly Varden fair to good in upper reaches.
DUDIAK LAGOON: Open to snagging. Occasional nice silver still available, some dark fish present; run has ended.
KACHEMAK BAY/HOMER SPIT: A few silvers available on tides along beaches. Fair bottomfish; mainly flounders, codfish, sculpins; a few skate and halibut.
COPPER VALLEY-VALDEZ ARM:
GULKANA RIVER: Low and clear. A few bright/semi-bright reds present. Trout and grayling good to excellent in upper areas; steelhead due any day.
KLUTINA RIVER: Moderate flow and clarity. A few silvers are arriving; red salmon run has ended. Dolly Varden fair to good in upper river.
TONSINA RIVER: Moderate flow and silty. Silvers abundant in some areas but many are blush/dark; some bright/semi-bright fish present. Char and grayling fair.
ROBE RIVER: Low and clear. Good run of silvers arriving; many bright fish but some are blush/dark. Pinks are gone. Dolly Varden fair in upper reaches.
PORT VALDEZ: Moderate clarity. Silvers still arriving on tides in decent numbers; many are bright/semi-bright but some are turning dark. A few pinks and chums left.
Updated August 21, 2018
MATANUSKA-SUSITNA VALLEYS:
EAST FORK CHULITNA RIVER: Somewhat high and silty; kings are spawning. Decent rainbow and grayling fishing. A few chums at mouth, silvers arriving soon.
BYERS CREEK: Moderately high but clear; kings are spawning. Fair to good rainbow trout fishing. Lots of blush or spawning reds, chums, pinks; some silvers now present.
RABIDEUX CREEK: Moderate flow, clear; kings are spawning. Good fishing at stream mouth for silvers. Rainbows fair upstream. Burbot fair at mouth.
SUNSHINE CREEK: Moderate flow, clear; best fishing at dawn. Good fishing for silvers; a few fresh chums remain but most are dark. A few reds, pinks available. Burbot present.
MONTANA CREEK: Moderate flow, mostly clear; kings, pinks, chum spawning. Good for silvers at mouth; a few bright chums also. Rainbows picking up in upper reaches.
GOOSE CREEK: Moderate flow, clearing up; kings, pinks, chums are spawning. Fair to good silvers at mouth; a few fresh chums remain. Rainbows, grayling fair in upper stream.
SHEEP CREEK: Moderate flow, slightly murky; kings, pinks, chums are spawning. Good to excellent fishing for silvers at mouth fair upstream. Fair to good rainbow trout and grayling fishing.
CASWELL CREEK: Moderate flow, clear; salmon fishing best at mouth. Good to excellent for silvers, a few fresh chums present. Burbot available using bait during darkness.
KASHWITNA RIVER: Water high and silty; wait for stream to clear following cool/dry weather. Fair to good fishing for silvers at/near mouth; use bait. Rainbows, grayling slow.
LITTLE WILLOW CREEK: Moderate flow, slightly murky; kings, pinks, chums are spawning. Good silver fishing using eggs. Rainbows, grayling fair upstream.
WILLOW CREEK: Moderate flow, slightly murky; kings, pinks, chums are spawning. Best salmon fishing at mouth; good to excellent silvers, some fresh chums. Rainbows, grayling fair above highway crossing.
LITTLE SUSITNA RIVER: Moderate flow, slightly murky; kings, pinks, chums are spawning. Good to excellent for silvers using eggs. Best at Burma access, fair at Houston. Some rainbows present.
COTTONWOOD CREEK: Good to excellent for silvers on tides; some reds still coming through. Time effort at tides. A few Dolly Varden present. Rainbows good in upper stream.
FISH CREEK: Good for silvers on tides; some reds still coming through. Time effort at tides. A few Dolly Varden, pinks, chums present. Rainbows good in upper stream.
WASILLA CREEK: Good to excellent for silvers; best around Rabbit Slough access point. Reds, pinks, a few chums, and Dolly Varden also available.
EKLUTNA TAILRACE: Silvers arriving, good fishing using eggs; best in early morning. Some reds and chums also being caught. Dolly Varden fair. A few old kings present.
JIM CREEK: Good fishing for silvers in morning using eggs; small number of fresh/semi-bright reds available. Dolly Varden good upstream of mouth.
ANCHORAGE AREA-TURNAGAIN ARM:
SHIP CREEK: Good to excellent fishing for silver salmon around high tides using eggs and spinners. Numbers of blush/spawning pinks and chums remain, few fresh specimens.
CAMPBELL CREEK: Good fishing for silvers in deep holes at dawn using eggs. Try fishing after a steady rain and just as water begins to clear. Trout, char fair to good in upper reaches; kings spawning.
BIRD CREEK: Good fishing for silvers on tides using eggs and spinners. A few ripe pinks, chums present; occasional catches of fresh specimens.
GLACIER CREEK: Stream flowing quite high, silty. Poor to fair catches of bright/semi-bright pinks and chums; silvers fair at best. Use eggs, spinners, flies. Dolly Varden slow to fair.
PORTAGE CREEK: Silver salmon present in good numbers; fish incoming tides or holes and sloughs upstream using salmon roe or spinners. A few nice reds, pinks, chums remain but most spawning.
INGRAM CREEK: Spotty to decent silver action; try tides or deep holes in lower stream using eggs or spinners. Pinks and chums largely done for the season. Char opportunities poor.
RESURRECTION CREEK: Fair to good on tides and deep holes for silver salmon. Pinks and chums are dying off but a few chrome specimens available still.
SIXMILE CREEK: Fair to very good silver salmon fishing; scout deep holes above tidewater up to Canyon Creek confluence. Eggs and spinners best. Pinks and chums dying off.
KENAI PENINSULA:
PASSAGE CANAL/WHITTIER: A few fresh and semi-bright pinks and chums and occasional red available at head of canal; silvers slow. Surf-casting fair for bottomfish.
RESURRECTION BAY/SEWARD: Small number of silvers cruising beaches at head of bay but fishing generally fair at best. A few fresh pinks and reds present, chums spawning.
RESURRECTION RIVER: Very little angling effort. Small to moderate numbers of pinks, chums, and silvers moving through river mouth. Primarily a snag fishery.
QUARTZ CREEK: Moderate water flows and turbidity. Good Dolly Varden fishing; reds are spawning. Try off mouth of stream at dusk for lake trout using bait.
UPPER KENAI RIVER: Water conditions very good. Excellent opportunities for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. Good number of silvers passing through.
RUSSIAN RIVER: Water low and clear; great for sight-fishing. Red salmon season ended August 20. Fishing for silvers fair to good in early morning and at mouth. Rainbows and Dollies good.
SWANSON RIVER: Good rainbow trout fishing in middle and upper river. Silver salmon showing in good numbers in tidewater and many spots in lower river; eggs and spinners best.
LOWER/MIDDLE KENAI RIVER: Good to excellent action for silvers in morning using eggs, spinners; early run is peaking. Fair success for bright pinks. Rainbows, Dollies excellent.
KASILOF RIVER: Good silver salmon fishing; best following tides in Crooked Creek area and in calm water spots upstream, eggs best. Fair Dolly Varden action. A few fresh pinks, reds present.
NINILCHIK RIVER: Good silver salmon fishing in early morning using eggs. Dolly Varden fishing is fair in upper reaches. A few bright/semi-bright pinks left. Steelhead trout present.
DEEP CREEK: Good run of silvers; try eggs at dawn in deep holes and slow water. Fair char fishing in upper stream. A few bright/semi-bright pinks left. Steelhead trout present.
ANCHOR RIVER: Good silver salmon fishing on tides and early morning; use eggs or spinners. Search upper river for char. A few bright/semi-bright pinks left. Steelhead trout present.
DUDIAK LAGOON: Open to snagging. A few fresh silvers still coming in but generally slow; run is ending.
KACHEMAK BAY/HOMER SPIT: Surf-casting for silvers is fair using spinners, a few fresh pinks also being caught. Fair to good for bottomfish along with occasional halibut.
COPPER VALLEY-VALDEZ ARM:
GULKANA RIVER: Moderate to high water flows, silty. Some reds coming through but slow fishing. Rainbows, grayling good to excellent in upper reaches.
KLUTINA RIVER: Good water conditions. King season closed August 10. Small number of reds still moving through. Dolly Varden fair to good in upper river.
TONSINA RIVER: Good water conditions, very little angling effort. King season closed August 10. Small number of reds arriving. Grayling and char present in Little Tonsina River.
ROBE RIVER: Large number of spawning and dying pinks. Good opportunities for char. Spotty to decent fishing for silver salmon; scout deeper areas in early morning.
PORT VALDEZ: Silver salmon arriving and action is fair from shore at Allison Point and city boat dock, could be good by weekend. Chums present in boat harbor. Fair for pinks.
Updated July 28, 2018
MATANUSKA-SUSITNA VALLEYS:
EAST FORK CHULITNA RIVER: Great stream conditions, low and clear; kings are spawning. Good rainbow and grayling fishing. No other salmon species reported at this time.
BYERS CREEK: Low and clear; kings are spawning. Fair to good rainbow trout fishing. Reds arriving in small numbers along with a few pinks and chums; stream mouth best. Watch out for bears.
RABIDEUX CREEK: Water low and clear; kings are spawning. Fair to good fishing at stream mouth for chums, pinks, a few silvers. Rainbows fair upstream. Burbot fair at mouth.
SUNSHINE CREEK: Water low and clear; best fishing at dawn. Good to excellent fishing for a mix of salmon species, including reds, pinks, chums, and silvers. Burbot available.
MONTANA CREEK: Water low and clear; kings are spawning. Excellent for chums at mouth, fair pinks and some silvers. Burbot fair to good at dusk and dawn. Rainbows good upstream.
GOOSE CREEK: Low and clear; kings are spawning. Decent number of chums and pinks at mouth, some silvers too. Rainbows, grayling fair in upper stream.
SHEEP CREEK: Low and clear; kings are spawning. Good to excellent fishing for chums, fair to good for pinks, silvers fair; best at mouth. Good rainbow trout and grayling fishing.
CASWELL CREEK: Low and clear; salmon fishing best at mouth. Good to excellent for chums, pinks good, silvers fair. Burbot available using bait during darkness.
KASHWITNA RIVER: Water high and silty; wait for stream to clear following cool weather. Good fishing for chums at mouth, fair pinks and silvers. Rainbows, grayling fair.
LITTLE WILLOW CREEK: Low and clear; kings are spawning. Good trout and grayling upstream of highway crossing. Good salmon fishing at highway crossing; chums, pinks, a few silvers.
WILLOW CREEK: Low and clear; kings are spawning. Best salmon fishing at mouth; excellent chums, fair to good pinks, fair silvers. Rainbows, grayling good above highway crossing.
LITTLE SUSITNA RIVER: Low and clear; excellent fishing for chums, good for silvers and pinks. Best at Burma access, fair at Houston with mostly chums. Some rainbows present.
COTTONWOOD CREEK: Weekend-only fishery; last good weekend for reds, silvers arriving. Time effort at tides. A few Dolly Varden present. Rainbows good in upper stream.
FISH CREEK: Open to dip netting only through July 31; sport season opens second weekend of August. Reds slowing down, silvers starting, a few pinks available.
WASILLA CREEK: Weekend-only fishery; small schools of mainly silvers providing fair fishing, best around Rabbit Slough access point. Reds, pinks, char also available.
EKLUTNA TAILRACE: Silvers arriving, fair catches and improving. Best at dawn using bait. Some reds and silvers also being caught. Dolly Varden fair.
JIM CREEK: Good number of reds present at mouth, fair opportunities. Silvers starting with some fish being caught. Dolly Varden fair upstream of mouth.
ANCHORAGE AREA-TURNAGAIN ARM:
SHIP CREEK: Good fishing for silver salmon around high tides using eggs and spinners. Pinks fair, chums spotty.
CAMPBELL CREEK: Best fishing is in upper stream for rainbow and Dollies. Slow for silvers; wait for stream to rise following heavy rain, prompting fish to move.
BIRD CREEK: Fishing for silvers fair; best on tides. Fair to good catches of pinks and chums; also Dolly Varden. Watch out for bears.
GLACIER CREEK: Fair to good opportunities for pinks and chums. Silvers poor to fair. Try area near mouth of California Creek. Dolly Varden fair on tides.
PORTAGE CREEK: Red salmon available in middle and upper stream; generally fair at best. Pinks, chums good in lower stream; silvers arriving. Dolly Varden fair.
INGRAM CREEK: Pink salmon yield fair to good fishing in lower stream; few chums, occasional silver salmon. Dolly Varden fair in tidal area.
RESURRECTION CREEK: Good pink salmon opportunities; run is maturing, some chromers available. Slow to fair for chums, silvers. Dolly Varden fair on tide.
SIXMILE CREEK: Decent water conditions for angling; kings are spawning. Fair to good for chums, pinks fair; fish starting to turn. A few silvers arriving.
KENAI PENINSULA:
PASSAGE CANAL/WHITTIER: Shore anglers are finding a few kings still; run is ending. Pinks and chums arriving; fair to good fishing. No silvers reported from shore yet.
RESURRECTION BAY/SEWARD: King run has ended; pinks good at Spring and Tonsina creeks, chums good at Tonsina also. Dolly Varden fair. Bottomfish good.
RESURRECTION RIVER: Early red run has ended, smaller late run of fish arriving along with pinks, chums. Angling effort very low. Mainly a snag fishery.
QUARTZ CREEK: Low and clear water; a few kings, reds present. Dolly Varden fair to good, a few rainbows available. Try off mouth of stream at dusk for lake trout using bait.
UPPER KENAI RIVER: Water conditions very good. Late-run reds moving through in moderate numbers; fair success reported. Rainbows excellent, Dolly Varden good. First silvers due.
RUSSIAN RIVER: Water low and clear; great for sight-fishing. Late-run reds arriving, good and getting better. Best at dawn in river, mouth productive all day. Rainbows fair, Dolly Varden picking up.
SWANSON RIVER: Good rainbow trout fishing in middle and upper river. Reds present but fishing is poor. Pinks fair in tidal area. Silvers just starting.
LOWER/MIDDLE KENAI RIVER: Seasonal water conditions; red salmon fishing varies from slow to good depending on day. Kings fair at best; season ends July 31. Late-run pink salmon arriving; best in tidal area, fair to good opportunities. Small number of silvers present.
KASILOF RIVER: Red salmon poor to good depending on day but generally fair. Kings slow to fair; season ends July 31. A few pinks, silvers have been caught.
NINILCHIK RIVER: Open to hatchery kings; fishing is slow, most are near spawning but occasional chrome fish possible. Pinks fair at best. Silvers due any day. Dolly Varden fishing is fair.
DEEP CREEK: Water is low and clear; good conditions. Fair action for pinks and Dolly Varden. No silvers reported yet. King salmon still moving through; closed.
ANCHOR RIVER: Water is low and clear; good conditions. Fair action for pinks and Dolly Varden. No silvers reported yet. King salmon still moving through; closed.
DUDIAK LAGOON: Large number of silver salmon available, run is peaking; best on tides using salmon eggs, spinners. Good to excellent success. Occasional nice king possible.
KACHEMAK BAY/HOMER SPIT: Fair to good catches of flounder and codfish using bait. Dolly Varden poor. Pinks and silvers are cruising the beaches; poor to fair catches.
COPPER VALLEY-VALDEZ ARM:
GULKANA RIVER: Low and clear; good fishing conditions. Late-run red salmon fair to good, best higher up in drainage. Kings closed. Rainbows, grayling good to excellent in upper reaches.
KLUTINA RIVER: Good water conditions. Red salmon spotty to fair, king salmon very good in areas. Dolly Varden fair in upper river.
TONSINA RIVER: Good water conditions. Late-run red salmon present; fair to good opportunities. King salmon very good. Grayling and char present in Little Tonsina River.
ROBE RIVER: Pink salmon arriving in good numbers, many fish are turning but chrome specimens possible. A few chums also present. First silver salmon due by next week. Dolly Varden good.
PORT VALDEZ: Good to excellent fishing for pink salmon between Allison Point and Solomon Gulch Hatchery; many chromers still but run is starting to mature. First silver salmon reported caught.
Updated July 11, 2018
MATANUSKA-SUSITNA VALLEYS:
EAST FORK CHULITNA RIVER: Water is dropping and clearing from recent rains; closed for kings this year, trout and grayling fair to good.
BYERS CREEK: Running low and clear; decent fishing for rainbow trout. Kings closed; other salmon still weeks away.
MONTANA CREEK: Water levels dropping, clearing; good rainbow and grayling fishing at dawn and dusk. Kings closed; other salmon due any day.
GOOSE CREEK: Low and clear; rainbows and grayling offer fair to good fishing. Kings closed; other salmon due any day.
SHEEP CREEK: Stream conditions good; rainbows and grayling decent. Kings closed; other salmon due any day.
LITTLE WILLOW CREEK: Relatively low and clear, rainbows and grayling fair to good. Kings closed; other salmon due any day.
WILLOW CREEK: Water dropping quickly from recent rains; good rainbow and fair grayling fishing. Kings closed; a few chums arriving at mouth.
LITTLE SUSITNA RIVER: Relatively high and murky but dropping; small number of reds and chums present. Pinks and silvers due any day. Kings closed.
EKLUTNA TAILRACE: A number of kings still present; condition of fish deteriorating, starting to turn. First silver caught several days ago, reds arriving too.
FISH CREEK: Large number of reds arriving; lower stream opens to salmon fishing second week of August. Fair to good rainbow fishing in upper reaches.
COTTONWOOD CREEK: Red salmon starting to show, slow fishing yet in tidewater. Good rainbow trout fishing in upper and middle stream sections.
JIM CREEK: A few Dolly Varden present; no solid report from here but a few reds should be present at mouth.
ANCHORAGE AREA-TURNAGAIN ARM:
SHIP CREEK: Stream will open to all species (except kings) this Saturday, July 14. Pinks and silvers have been sighted; fish the incoming and outgoing tides.
CAMPBELL CREEK: Fair to good fishing for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden. Hike to upper areas away from easy access points for best action.
BIRD CREEK: Stream will open to all species (except kings) this Saturday, July 14. Pinks and chums are present in fair numbers, should be a few silvers present too.
GLACIER CREEK: Water levels dropping, clearing slightly; try mouth of California Creek for pinks, chums, and Dolly Varden. First silvers due any day.
PORTAGE CREEK: Moderate numbers of red and pink salmon arriving, chums any day. First silvers will arrive in ten days. Fair Dolly Varden fishing in tidewater.
INGRAM CREEK: Sea-run Dolly Varden present on high tides; fair. A few pinks showing up in tidewater.
INGRAM CREEK: Sea-run Dolly Varden present on high tides; fair. A few pinks showing up in tidewater.
RESURRECTION CREEK: Pink salmon arriving in fair numbers along with a few chums; Dolly Varden good on tides. Early catches of silver salmon possible.
SIXMILE CREEK: Water conditions improving; small numbers of chum salmon available in lower stream, a few pinks. Silvers due in about ten days.
KENAI PENINSULA:
PASSAGE CANAL/WHITTIER: A few kings are being caught from shore; try west end of canal, boat harbor, and the cove. Small schools of reds and pinks present, a few chums.
RESURRECTION BAY/SEWARD: Spotty for reds at Spring Creek and Scheffler Creek, occasional king salmon. Good at Spring Creek also for chums and a few pinks.
RESURRECTION RIVER: Only a few reds available as early run is ending. Late run fish along with a few pinks, chums due any day. This is a snag fishery at mouth of river.
QUARTZ CREEK: Water is somewhat high but beginning to drop and clear. Slow fishing for rainbows and Dollies. Red salmon starting to show (closed).
UPPER KENAI RIVER: High water conditions, slightly silty. Fair success for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. Red salmon fishing is poor; a few late run fish present.
RUSSIAN RIVER: Fairly low water, clear; early-run reds slow, first late run fish due at mouth any day. Rainbows fair, Dollies poor.
LOWER/MIDDLE KENAI RIVER: Water conditions very high and silty; a small number of late run reds and kings being caught. A few early-run pinks showing up. Rainbows, Dollies fair.
KASILOF RIVER: Slow to quite decent fishing for red salmon depending on tide; occasional limits. King salmon fishing is very slow; try around island in channel.
NINILCHIK RIVER: Closed to all fishing until July 16 by emergency order; expect a few pinks and fair Dolly Varden fishing on opening day.
DEEP CREEK: Closed to all fishing until July 16 by emergency order; expect a few pinks and fair Dolly Varden fishing on opening day.
ANCHOR RIVER: Closed to all fishing until July 16 by emergency order; expect a few pinks and fair Dolly Varden fishing on opening day.
DUDIAK LAGOON: A small number of king salmon remain; bright fish are still coming in on the tides. Silvers are arriving; spotty right now but could be fair by next week.
HOMER SPIT: Fair to good catches of flounder and codfish using bait. Dolly Varden fishing is spotty. Reds and pinks are jumping along beaches of the spit.
COPPER VALLEY-VALDEZ ARM:
GULKANA RIVER: Water conditions are good and kings are being caught. Closed to red salmon fishing until Friday but only a few fish are present as of this report. Rainbows, grayling good.
KLUTINA RIVER: Good water conditions. A few kings are present but still poor; more fish arrive every day. Closed to red salmon fishing until Friday; fish numbers unknown.
TONSINA RIVER: Good water conditions. A few kings are present but still poor; more fish arrive every day. Closed to red salmon fishing until Friday; fish numbers unknown.
ROBE RIVER: Slow fishing, red salmon present in small numbers; first pinks being caught at mouth. Dolly Varden arriving.
PORT VALDEZ: Fair action for pink salmon from shore, try mouth of Solomon Gulch Creek. Run is slow coming in; expect decent numbers by next week.
Updated July 5, 2018
MATANUSKA-SUSITNA VALLEYS:
EAST FORK CHULITNA RIVER: Good conditions for catching rainbows and grayling; closed for kings this year.
BYERS CREEK: Running relatively low and clear; decent fishing for rainbow trout. A few kings present (closed).
MONTANA CREEK: Water is low and clear; good to excellent trout fishing at dawn and dusk. Closed to king salmon fishing this year.
GOOSE CREEK: Low and clear; rainbows and grayling offer fair to good fishing. Closed to king salmon fishing.
SHEEP CREEK: Good stream conditions; rainbows good, grayling fair. Closed to king salmon fishing this year.
LITTLE WILLOW CREEK: Flowing low and clear, great conditions for catching rainbows and grayling. Closed to king salmon fishing this year.
WILLOW CREEK: Low and clear conditions; very good rainbow and fair grayling fishing. Closed to king salmon fishing this year.
LITTLE SUSITNA RIVER: Fair stream conditions; small number of reds present. Pinks and chums, possibly silvers, arriving in tidewater. Kings closed.
EKLUTNA TAILRACE: A few king salmon being caught; try at dawn and dusk. Most fish are blush but chrome specimens still possible.
COTTONWOOD CREEK: Good rainbow trout fishing in upper and middle stream sections.
JIM CREEK: Stream is open to fishing; first red salmon due in about a week. A few Dolly Varden present.
ANCHORAGE AREA-TURNAGAIN ARM:
SHIP CREEK: Closed to all fishing through July 13; will open to all species (except kings) on July 14. A few pinks and silvers are typically in the stream by now.
CAMPBELL CREEK: Fair to good fishing for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden. Hike to upper areas away from easy access points for best action.
BIRD CREEK: Closed to all fishing until July 14. King, pink, and chum salmon present.
GLACIER CREEK: Stream conditions are high and very silty due to hot weather; try mouth of California Creek for Dolly Varden. A few pinks are arriving, chums due any day.
RESURRECTION CREEK: Fair to very good action for sea-run Dolly Varden on incoming and high tides; pink salmon are arriving in small numbers.
PORTAGE CREEK: Sea-run Dolly Varden present on high tides; fair. Pink and red salmon should be present in small numbers.
KENAI PENINSULA:
PASSAGE CANAL/WHITTIER: Spotty catches of kings at head of canal and in cove; red, pink, and chum salmon also present in small numbers.
RESURRECTION BAY/SEWARD: Decent fishing for reds at Spring Creek and Scheffler Creek, also a few kings being taken at the latter location. Fair to good at Spring Creek also for chums and a few pinks.
RESURRECTION RIVER: Small number of reds present; fishing is slow to fair at best depending on tide. This is a snag fishery at mouth of river.
QUARTZ CREEK: Water conditions are quite good, water is slowly dropping and clearing. Slow fishing yet for a few rainbows and Dollies.
UPPER KENAI RIVER: Water dropping and clearing, good conditions for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. Slow to fair red salmon fishing.
RUSSIAN RIVER: Water is low and clear, good for sight fishing salmon. Fish at dawn for good red opportunities; try mouth during the day. Rainbows fair, Dollies poor.
LOWER/MIDDLE KENAI RIVER: Slow fishing for late-run king and red salmon; runs are just starting. Trout and char fishing decent in middle reaches above Bing’s Landing.
KASILOF RIVER: Fair to very good fishing for red salmon on tides; some limits being taken recently. King salmon fishing is slow; best around island in channel.
NINILCHIK RIVER: Closed to all fishing until July 16 by emergency order.
DEEP CREEK: Closed to all fishing until July 16 by emergency order.
ANCHOR RIVER: Closed to all fishing until July 16 by emergency order.
DUDIAK LAGOON: A small number of king salmon remain; bright fish are still coming in on the tides.
HOMER SPIT: Spotty to good catches of flounder and codfish using bait. Dolly Varden fishing is slowing down. A few pinks and reds present along beaches.
COPPER VALLEY-VALDEZ ARM:
GULKANA RIVER: Water conditions are good and getting better. Kings are being caught in decent numbers. Closed to red salmon fishing.
KLUTINA RIVER: Good water conditions. A few kings are present but generally slow but steadily improving. Closed to red salmon fishing.
TONSINA RIVER: Good water conditions. A few kings are present; action is slow. Closed to red salmon fishing.
ROBE RIVER: Slow fishing, red salmon present in small numbers.
PORT VALDEZ: Pink salmon are arriving; fishing ranges from slow to fair at best, try mouth of Solomon Gulch Creek. Run may be late and/or weak.
Updated June 21, 2018
MATANUSKA-SUSITNA VALLEYS:
EAST FORK CHULITNA RIVER: Stream conditions dropping and improving after high water events. Rainbows, grayling present.
MONTANA CREEK: Stream conditions dropping and improving after high water events. Rainbows, grayling present.
SHEEP CREEK: Stream conditions dropping and improving after high water events. Rainbows, grayling present.
LITTLE WILLOW CREEK: Stream conditions dropping and improving after high water events. Rainbows, grayling present.
WILLOW CREEK: Stream conditions dropping and improving after high water events. Rainbows, grayling present.
LITTLE SUSITNA RIVER: High and muddy water conditions, very slow fishing. Red salmon, rainbow trout present. Closed to king salmon salmon fishing.
EKLUTNA TAILRACE: King salmon are being caught in small numbers; use salmon roe and/or attractors, flashy spinners.
COTTONWOOD CREEK: Good rainbow trout fishing in upper and middle stream sections.
JIM CREEK: Stream is open to fishing; too early for salmon. A few Dolly Varden present. Knik River is flooding.
ANCHORAGE AREA-TURNAGAIN ARM:
SHIP CREEK: Water high and somewhat silty but good conditions for catching fish. King salmon arriving. Fair success on the tides; try floating salmon roe or cast spinners.
CAMPBELL CREEK: Fair to good fishing for rainbow trout, Dolly Varden. Hike to upper areas away from easy access points for best action.
BIRD CREEK: Closed to all fishing until July 14. King salmon present.
GLACIER CREEK: Water high and silty; generally slow to fair. Use salmon eggs in slack water of high tide for Dolly Varden.
RESURRECTION CREEK: Fair to very good action for sea-run Dolly Varden on incoming and high tides; use flies, small spoons imitating juvenile salmon. First pinks one week away.
PORTAGE CREEK: Sea-run Dolly Varden present on high tides; use salmon eggs. Fair.
KENAI PENINSULA:
PASSAGE CANAL/WHITTIER: Fair action for salmon when water is clear; kings, chums, and reds are available at west end of canal, the cove, and near boat harbor.
RESURRECTION BAY/SEWARD: Fair action for kings using spinners and snagging in front of town and boat harbor, reds fair to good along with an occasional chum at Spring Creek across bay. Good fishing for sea-run Dolly Varden west side of bay around Lowell Point and mouth of Tonsina Creek.
RESURRECTION RIVER: Fair to good snagging for red salmon at mouth of river; run has peaked. Better success when commercial fleet is not active.
QUARTZ CREEK: High and muddy water, slow fishing. A few rainbow trout and Dolly Varden present.
UPPER KENAI RIVER: Water still high and slightly silty. Fair success for red salmon in areas; best in river section between Russian River and Skilak Lake. Rainbow trout fair to good, some Dolly Varden.
RUSSIAN RIVER: Water quite high and off color. Poor to fair fishing for red salmon, limits possible with effort. Rainbow trout fair, a few Dolly Varden present also.
LOWER/MIDDLE KENAI RIVER: Swiftwater and Bing’s Landing fair for reds. Fishing is fair for rainbows and Dollies. River is closed to king salmon fishing. Sharks, a few halibut being caught off mouth of river.
KASILOF RIVER: King salmon restrictions in effect; only hatchery kings may be retained, wild fish must be released. Poor to fair success using flies and plugs soon after high tide. Red salmon are arriving, fair action around high tide and getting better every day. Sharks, a few halibut being caught off mouth of river.
NINILCHIK RIVER: Closed to all fishing until July 16 by emergency order.
DEEP CREEK: Closed to all fishing until July 16 by emergency order.
ANCHOR RIVER: Closed to all fishing until July 16 by emergency order.
DUDIAK LAGOON: Some kings being taken on the tides using herring, roe, and spinners; fair success at best. Run is small this year.
HOMER SPIT: Good sea-run char fishing along the beaches; use small smolt/fry-imitation flies and spoons. A few kings present. Spotty to good catches of flounder and codfish using bait.
COPPER VALLEY-VALDEZ ARM:
GULKANA RIVER: River is high and somewhat silty but conditions improving daily; some kings are present but action spotty thus far. Good number of grayling present in middle river. By emergency order, the river is closed to red salmon fishing.
KLUTINA RIVER: Good water conditions. King salmon season begins July 1. By emergency order, the river is closed to red salmon fishing.
TONSINA RIVER: Water conditions are improving. King salmon season begins July 1. By emergency order, the river is closed to red salmon fishing.
ROBE RIVER: Slow fishing, some red salmon present.
PORT VALDEZ: Fair fishing for sea-run Dolly Varden at mouths of clearwater stream; use small smolt/fry-imitation flies and spoons. First pinks due any day.
Updated June 13, 2018
MATANUSKA-SUSITNA VALLEYS:
EAST FORK CHULITNA RIVER: Stream conditions dropping and improving after high water events. Rainbows, grayling present.
MONTANA CREEK: Stream conditions dropping and improving after high water events. Rainbows, grayling present.
SHEEP CREEK: Stream conditions dropping and improving after high water events. Rainbows, grayling present.
LITTLE WILLOW CREEK: Stream conditions dropping and improving after high water events. Rainbows, grayling present.
WILLOW CREEK: Stream conditions dropping and improving after high water events. Rainbows, grayling present.
LITTLE SUSITNA RIVER: High and muddy water conditions, poor fishing. King and red salmon, rainbow trout present. Update: Closed to retention of king salmon.
EKLUTNA TAILRACE: King salmon are being caught in small numbers; use salmon roe and/or attractors, flashy spinners.
COTTONWOOD CREEK: Closed to all fishing until June 15. Rainbow trout present.
WASILLA CREEK: Closed to all fishing until June 15. Rainbow trout present.
ANCHORAGE AREA-TURNAGAIN ARM:
SHIP CREEK: Water high and turbid. King salmon arriving. Fair success on the tides; try floating salmon roe or cast spinners.
CAMPBELL CREEK: Closed to all fishing until June 15. Rainbow trout, Dolly Varden present.
BIRD CREEK: Closed to all fishing until July 14. King salmon run underway.
GLACIER CREEK: Water high and silty; use salmon eggs in tidewater for Dolly Varden.
RESURRECTION CREEK: Fair to very good action for sea-run Dolly Varden on incoming and high tides; use flies, small spoons imitating juvenile salmon. No pinks yet.
TURNAGAIN ARM: Closed to all hooligan dip netting; season ended June 1. Fair Dolly Varden action off mouths of clearwater streams in area.
20-MILE RIVER: Poor dip netting for hooligan on incoming/outgoing tides; head upstream to find possible concentrations of fish. Run is ending. Season ends on June 15.
KENAI PENINSULA:
PASSAGE CANAL/WHITTIER: Poor fishing for salmon; a few kings, chums, and reds are available at west end of canal, the cove, and near boat harbor.
RESURRECTION BAY/SEWARD: Kings poor to fair in front of town, reds fair to good at Spring Creek across bay. Good fishing for sea-run Dolly Varden west side of bay.
RESURRECTION RIVER: Good to excellent snagging for red salmon at mouth of river; run is peaking.
QUARTZ CREEK: High and muddy water, slow fishing. A few rainbow trout and Dolly Varden present.
UPPER KENAI RIVER: Fair success for red salmon; best in river section between Russian River and Skilak Lake. Rainbow trout fair to good, some Dolly Varden.
RUSSIAN RIVER: Good fishing for red salmon possible at dawn, slow during day. Rainbow trout fair. Water low and clear.
LOWER/MIDDLE KENAI RIVER: King salmon catch-and-release only by emergency order starting June 16. Swiftwater and Bing’s Landing fair for reds. Fishing is fair for rainbows and Dollies. Hooligan run has ended; season closes June 15. Sharks, a few halibut being caught off mouth of river.
KASILOF RIVER: King salmon restrictions take effect June 16; only hatchery kings may be retained, wild fish must be released. Poor to fair success using flies and plugs soon after high tide. Red salmon are arriving, fair action around high tide. Dolly Varden poor to fair.
NINILCHIK RIVER: Closed to all fishing until July 16 by emergency order.
DEEP CREEK: Closed to all fishing until July 16 by emergency order.
ANCHOR RIVER: Closed to all fishing until July 16 by emergency order.
DUDIAK LAGOON: Some kings being taken on the tides using herring, roe, and spinners; fair success at best. Run is small this year.
HOMER SPIT: Good sea-run char fishing along the beaches; use small smolt/fry-imitation flies and spoons. A few kings present. Spotty to good catches of flounder and codfish using bait.
COPPER VALLEY-VALDEZ ARM:
GULKANA RIVER: River is high and muddy; a few kings and reds should be present once water drops and clears. Good number of grayling present at mouths of spawning tributaries. Update: By emergency order, the river will close to red salmon fishing on June 18.
KLUTINA RIVER: Good water conditions. A few reds are beginning to show up but expect slow fishing yet. King salmon season begins July 1. Update: By emergency order, the river will close to red salmon fishing on June 18.
ROBE RIVER: Very slow fishing, a few red salmon present.
PORT VALDEZ: Fair fishing for sea-run Dolly Varden at mouths of clearwater stream; use small smolt/fry-imitation flies and spoons. No reports of pink salmon yet.
Updated June 11, 2018
RUSSIAN RIVER SPECIAL REPORT: PART 2
Anglers that showed up for the season opener on the Russian and Upper Kenai were greeted with mixed success today. The low and clear waters of the Russian experienced a moderate push of red salmon, providing productive fishing opportunities. While quite a few anglers did score limits of salmon, others walked away fishless. Crowds were only moderate. As often is the case, those hitting the water at dawn did best, the action cooling later on through the day. However, clouds and rain in the area will help bring in more reds from the sanctuary and tomorrow morning could be another good time to be on the river. Sight-fishing is the way to go, targeting small groups of fish or even individual salmon working their way upstream.
Those trying their luck on sections of the Upper Kenai did not fare as well and limits were few and far between, most anglers only landing a single fish if any at all. Anglers experienced in situations such as this will likely do well putting their skill and knowledge to use. The middle river–and Bing’s Landing in particular–is producing decent catches at this time and a fair number of reds are still entering the lower Kenai on the tides.
The ADF&G weir is now documenting fish passing through and numbers should increase proportionately as the run arrives in earnest.
Updated June 8, 2018
RUSSIAN RIVER SPECIAL REPORT: PART 1
With the season opener on Monday, June 11, edging closer, anglers are anxiously awaiting any news on the latest conditions on the river and how the early run of red salmon is progressing. As of this Friday evening, the numbers of salmon in the river is rather scarce with a few pockets of fish streaming through past the campground towards the falls. Schools consist of mostly half a dozen reds or less at this time but there are greater concentrations to be found in the sanctuary and below. But like anyone with Alaska fishing experience knows, conditions can change overnight and there may be (and should be) more fish to be had come opening day. This year is quite different than some seasons recently as the run is a bit late showing with relatively few salmon spotted between the mouth of the Russian and Skilak Lake. In fact, anglers would be smart to focus most of their sockeye-targeting efforts on sections of the mainstem Kenai River, primarily from Bing’s Landing in Sterling downstream to Soldotna where fishing has been quite good this past week, indicating that the run is in its early stages but at least coming.
The ADF&G weir on the Russian River is up and running as of mid-afternoon, June 6th, and no salmon were recorded passing the counter the first two days; however, this may change very shortly as the first few reds passing by the campground area now are likely to negotiate the falls right downstream of the weir in another day or two.
For those anglers still wanting to give the Russian a try, expect some opportunity at dawn by scouting for small groups or even single fish that are moving up into the river from the sanctuary. Sight-fishing will be the way to go with a few lucky anglers likely to walk away with two or even three reds; most, however, will not do so well at all unless a good shot of salmon hits the river the next couple of days. Water conditions are relatively good with moderate flow and clarity. Keep an eye on the weather this weekend as clouds and possible rain could spike numbers of fish exiting the sanctuary. In all, poor to fair action will prevail. If all else fails, there are also a decent number of rainbows in the river.
If the run changes drastically over the weekend, an updated report will follow.
Updated May 31, 2018
MATANUSKA-SUSITNA VALLEYS:
MONTANA CREEK: Rainbows, grayling present; try forage flies upstream of highway bridge and off Yoder Road and vicinity. Mediocre success. Closed to king salmon fishing this year. Update: Stream is under flood advisory until Saturday, June 2.
WILLOW CREEK: Best upstream of Susitna confluence for trout and grayling. Forage flies produce fair results. Closed to king salmon fishing this year.
LITTLE SUSITNA RIVER: Water levels are increasing and clarity dropping; should help bring in more kings. A few salmon being caught down low in drainage; reds present also.
EKLUTNA TAILRACE: Water conditions are very good. No confirmed catches of kings at highway crossing as of yet but sightings reported.
COTTONWOOD CREEK: Closed to all fishing until June 15. Rainbow trout spawning.
WASILLA CREEK: Closed to all fishing until June 15. Rainbow trout spawning.
ANCHORAGE AREA-TURNAGAIN ARM:
SHIP CREEK: King salmon arriving. Poor to fair at best on the tides; try floating salmon roe or cast spinners.
CAMPBELL CREEK: Closed to all fishing until June 15. Rainbow trout spawning.
BIRD CREEK: Closed to all fishing until July 14. King salmon run started.
TURNAGAIN ARM: Closed to all hooligan dip netting starting Friday, June 1 per regulation. Fair Dolly Varden action off mouths of clearwater streams in area.
20-MILE RIVER: Fair to good dip netting for hooligan on incoming/outgoing tides; head upstream to find concentrations of fish for best results. Run is slowing down.
KENAI PENINSULA:
PASSAGE CANAL/WHITTIER: Very slow fishing for salmon yet. A few kings, chums, and reds are available at west end of canal, the cove, and near boat harbor.
RESURRECTION BAY/SEWARD: Good fishing for sea-run Dolly Varden west side of bay. Kings and reds available; poor action for the most part.
RESURRECTION RIVER: Reds are entering river in small numbers; poor to fair success being reported at mouth of river on the tides; this is a snag fishery.
QUARTZ CREEK: Closed to all fishing until June 11.
UPPER KENAI RIVER: Closed to all fishing until June 11. A few reds are moving through.
RUSSIAN RIVER: Closed to all fishing until June 11. Trickle of reds showing up at mouth.
LOWER/MIDDLE KENAI RIVER: King and red salmon arriving; try in/near tidewater for the kings, Swiftwater and Bing’s Landing for reds. Fishing is fair for the most part. Also fair success for rainbows and Dollies. Poor to fair hooligan dipping from tidewater up to Soldotna.
KASILOF RIVER: King and red salmon arriving; try in/near tidewater. Fair fishing at best, more reds than kings being caught. Dolly Varden fair around Crooked Creek. Expect an increase in angling pressure due to stream closures to the south.
NINILCHIK RIVER: Closed to all fishing until July 16 by emergency order.
DEEP CREEK: Closed to all fishing until July 16 by emergency order.
ANCHOR RIVER: Closed to all fishing until July 16 by emergency order.
DUDIAK LAGOON: Some kings being taken on the tides using herring, roe, and spinners. Expect an increase in angling pressure due to stream closures to the north.
HOMER SPIT: Good sea-run char fishing along the beaches; use small smolt/fry-imitation flies and spoons. A few kings present. Good catches of flounder and codfish using bait.
COPPER VALLEY-VALDEZ ARM:
GULKANA RIVER: River is high and silty; too early for salmon. Expect first reds to arrive next week. Good number of grayling present at mouths of spawning tributaries.
KLUTINA RIVER: Water conditions are fair. Too early for salmon; expect first reds to arrive next week.
ROBE RIVER: Running clear; poor Dolly Varden fishing as most fish have left stream for saltwater.
Updated May 23, 2018
MATANUSKA-SUSITNA VALLEYS:
MONTANA CREEK: Rainbows and grayling available, most productive upstream of highway crossing. Good action at times in upper stream.
WILLOW CREEK: Some rainbows and grayling present. Best upstream of Susitna confluence.
LITTLE SUSITNA RIVER: Water conditions are good and kings are trickling into the lower river. A few fish are being caught downstream of access point.
EKLUTNA TAILRACE: Good water volume but a bit silty. No confirmed catches of kings at highway crossing but any day now.
COTTONWOOD CREEK: Closed to all fishing until June 15.
WASILLA CREEK: Closed to all fishing until June 15.
ANCHORAGE AREA-TURNAGAIN ARM:
SHIP CREEK: King salmon arriving. Slow action but improving; tides best.
CAMPBELL CREEK: Closed to all fishing until June 15.
BIRD CREEK: Closed to all fishing until July 14.
TURNAGAIN ARM: Dip netting for hooligan is very good; best dipping between Peterson Creek and 20-Mile River. One more week left in season.
20-MILE RIVER: Excellent dip netting for hooligan on incoming/outgoing tides.
KENAI PENINSULA:
PASSAGE CANAL/WHITTIER: No catches reported. Salmon have been spotted near harbor and west end of canal; kings and reds due.
RESURRECTION BAY/SEWARD: Good fishing for sea-run Dolly Varden west side of bay. Kings and reds present in area; very slow still.
RESURRECTION RIVER: First few reds have been confirmed. Poor to fair snagging at mouth of river on tides.
QUARTZ CREEK: Closed to all fishing until June 11.
UPPER KENAI RIVER: Closed to all fishing until June 11.
RUSSIAN RIVER: Closed to all fishing until June 11.
LOWER/MIDDLE KENAI RIVER: King salmon arriving; try in/near tidewater. Poor catches still. Rainbows, Dolly Varden fair in some locations. Excellent hooligan dipping.
KASILOF RIVER: King salmon arriving; try in/near tidewater. Poor to fair fishing at best. Dolly Varden fair around Crooked Creek. Few steelhead left.
NINILCHIK RIVER: Opens to fishing this Saturday, May 26. Kings are arriving in fair numbers.
DEEP CREEK: Opens to fishing this Saturday, May 26. Kings are arriving in fair numbers. Weir is operational.
ANCHOR RIVER: Trickle of kings arriving. Weir is operational. Steelhead present.
DUDIAK LAGOON: First few kings caught; try incoming/outgoing tides. Dolly Varden available at stream outlet.
HOMER SPIT: Very good Dolly Varden fishing along the beaches; use small smolt/fry-imitation flies and spoons. A few kings present. Fair to good catches of flounder and codfish using bait.
COPPER VALLEY-VALDEZ ARM:
GULKANA RIVER: River is high and silty; too early for salmon. First few reds due in about a week. Good number of grayling present at mouths of spawning tributaries.
KLUTINA RIVER: River is flowing; too early for salmon. First few reds due in about a week.
ROBE RIVER: Running clear; fair Dolly Varden fishing.
Updated May 15, 2018
SOUTHCENTRAL REGION SALMON STREAM UPDATE
SHIP CREEK: Water rising and warming; kings spotted on high tide, no reports of catches.
EKLUTNA TAILRACE: Good stream conditions for kings to arrive; no reports of fish caught yet.
LITTLE SUSITNA RIVER: First king salmon through weir on May 12; no reports of fish having been taken downstream of weir.
RESURRECTION RIVER: No angling pressure, no report. First few reds should be arriving now.
LOWER/MIDDLE KENAI RIVER: Small number of king salmon arriving; fishing still slow. First reds due any day.
KASILOF RIVER: King salmon arriving in small numbers; some fish caught from boats. Bait restriction lifted Wednesday, May 16.
NINILCHIK RIVER: King salmon arriving; river opens to fishing Saturday, May 26.
DEEP CREEK: King salmon arriving; stream opens to fishing Saturday, May 26.
ANCHOR RIVER: King salmon arriving; river opens to fishing Saturday, May 19. First kings passed weir May 12.
DUDIAK LAGOON: A few king salmon coming in on tides; slow fishing.
Updated May 10, 2018
MATANUSKA-SUSITNA VALLEYS:
LITTLE SUSITNA RIVER: Water levels are increasing, temperature rising. First king salmon due any day; no catches reported yet. Weir is operational.
EKLUTNA TAILRACE: Water conditions poor; annual maintenance operations started. Wait a week to ten days for king salmon at road crossing.
ANCHORAGE AREA-TURNAGAIN ARM:
SHIP CREEK: Conditions improving; water levels rising, warming. King salmon sighted in tidewater; no report of fish being caught.
CAMPBELL CREEK: Closed to all fishing until June 15.
BIRD CREEK: Closed to all fishing until July 14.
TURNAGAIN ARM: Dip netting for hooligan is good to excellent; run will peak in matter of days.
20-MILE RIVER: Dip netting for hooligan is good and improving; outgoing tide best.
KENAI PENINSULA:
PASSAGE CANAL/WHITTIER: No catches reported. First king and red due any day.
RESURRECTION BAY/SEWARD: Good fishing for sea-run Dolly Varden; try mouths of clearwater streams. A few kings, reds should be present.
RESURRECTION RIVER: Water conditions high and silty; first reds due any day.
QUARTZ CREEK: Closed to all fishing until June 11.
UPPER KENAI RIVER: Closed to all fishing until June 11.
RUSSIAN RIVER: Closed to all fishing until June 11.
LOWER/MIDDLE KENAI RIVER: King salmon arriving; try in/near tidewater. Slow fishing still. Rainbow/steelhead trout, Dolly Varden fair in some locations.
KASILOF RIVER: King salmon arriving; try in/near tidewater. Sporadic catches, improving. Steelhead trout, Dolly Varden fair around Crooked Creek.
NINILCHIK RIVER/DEEP CREEK: Closed to all fishing until May 26. Kings sighted in tidewater, Ninilchik Harbor.
ANCHOR RIVER: Closed to all fishing until May 19. Weir is operational.
DUDIAK LAGOON: King salmon sighted on tides. Dolly Varden available.
HOMER SPIT: Very good Dolly Varden fishing along the beaches; use small smolt/fry-imitation flies and spoons. A few kings present. Fair catches of flounder and codfish using bait.
COPPER VALLEY-VALDEZ ARM:
GULKANA RIVER: River is breaking up and flowing; some grayling present at mouths of spawning tributaries.
KLUTINA RIVER: River is flowing; no reports of fish being caught.
ROBE RIVER: Running clear; fair Dolly Varden fishing.
LOWE RIVER/VALDEZ: Fair opportunities for Dolly Varden from Keystone Canyon area downstream to river mouth; water levels rising. In the port, char found around mouths of clearwater streams.
Updated May 4, 2018
SUSITNA RIVER: Ice is moving out, revealing more open water fishing opportunities. Water conditions in tributaries are low, mostly clear, and cold due to cool spring weather, keeping fish from moving upstream in big numbers so anglers do best targeting them at the mainstem Susitna confluences. Willow, Little Willow, Sheep, and Montana are all producing some trout, char, and grayling.
TALKEETNA RIVER: Water is flowing and some rainbows, grayling, and Dollies are present. Generally fair at best right now but will pick up as water warms.
LITTLE SUSITNA RIVER: Water is very low and clear but cold. No kings reported caught or sighted yet; expect first fish sometime next week. A few rainbows available.
EKLUTNA TAILRACE: Great stream conditions for fishing, clear with a tint of green. No kings reported caught or sighted.
SHIP CREEK: Still low, clear, and cold, no kings reported caught. First fish should show any day; try the tides using salmon eggs.
CAMPBELL CREEK: Closed to all fishing until June 15.
TURNAGAIN ARM: Dip netting for hooligan is fair to good along the shoreline between Girdwood and mouth of 20-Mile River. Run will peak in about 10 days.
BIRD CREEK: Closed to all fishing until July 14.
RESURRECTION BAY: Some sea-run Dolly Varden now present along Seward’s beaches; try mouths of clearwater streams. Herring available at head of bay; could be kings there too.
QUARTZ CREEK: Closed to all fishing until June 15.
UPPER KENAI RIVER: Closed to all fishing until June 15.
RUSSIAN RIVER: Closed to all fishing until June 15.
LOWER/MIDDLE KENAI RIVER: Some ice still present along shoreline in places but river is wide open and ice free. A few rainbows, steelhead, and Dolly Varden available. No catches of kings confirmed but sighting of fish have been made.
KASILOF RIVER: Fair to decent opportunities for steelhead trout near the mouth of Crooked Creek; use flies and egg imitations. A few kings due any day now. Fair catches of halibut at river mouth.
NINILCHIK RIVER/DEEP CREEK: Closed to all fishing until May 26.
ANCHOR RIVER: Closed to all fishing until May 19.
DUDIAK LAGOON: No reports of any kings yet; should be a few arriving any day. Cast herring or spinners on the tides. Dolly Varden available.
HOMER SPIT: Good and steady action for sea-run Dolly Varden along the beaches of the spit; use small smolt/fry-imitation flies and spoons. Fair catches of flounder and codfish using bait.
GULKANA RIVER: River is in process of breaking up; some grayling present at mouths of spawning tributaries.
KLUTINA RIVER: River is in process of breaking up; no reports of fish being caught.
LOWE RIVER/VALDEZ: Fair to good opportunities for Dolly Varden from Keystone Canyon area downstream to river mouth; ice present in areas. In the port, look for char around mouths of clearwater streams.
Updated May 1, 2018
Hooligan Arriving in Turnagain Arm
REPORT: With dozens of eagles sitting patiently on the mudflats of the arm on low tide waiting for an easy meal, the annual hooligan run headed for 20-Mile River has started. Although very few dip netters have tempted the silty waters of Turnagain Arm yet this spring, opportunities are quite decent with fair to good catches possible. Thus far, the greater concentrations of fish are found along the stretch of the arm between Girdwood and Portage, the Peterson Creek and Kern Creek area being best on an outgoing and low tide. There should also be fish advancing into the 20-Mile River. While actual success varies on each tide this early in the season, dippers wanting to fill coolers with silvery smelt are advised to let the run build and wait another week to ten days. But for now, spending a couple of hours on the rocky shores of Turnagain will net half a bucket of fresh hooligan, if lucky maybe a lot more than that.
Updated April 24, 2018
SUSITNA RIVER: Shelf ice and ice flow still persists in some areas but river is fishable in many places, including the mouths of tributaries such as Willow, Sheep, and Montana creeks and Kashwitna River. Slow action as of yet but occasional flurry of activity in some spots. Expect rainbows, Dollies, and grayling to be present.
TALKEETNA RIVER: River is in process of breaking up; shelf ice and ice flows present. Expect rainbows, Dollies, and grayling shortly.
SHIP CREEK: No reports yet. Too early for kings; first fish usually caught second week of May.
CAMPBELL CREEK: Closed to all fishing until June 15.
TURNAGAIN ARM: Ice is gone from tidal areas and a few hooligan are showing up but dip netting is poor still. Beluga whales are present on high tides indicating that schools of fish may be coming in. No reports yet from the 20-Mile River; should be a few scouts here as well.
BIRD CREEK: Closed to all fishing until July 14.
RESURRECTION BAY: No reports of sea-run char showing up; look for fish to appear any day. For surf-casters, bottomfish such as flounder and codfish are becoming abundant. Some herring are coming in and there could be a few kings in the mix.
QUARTZ CREEK: No reports; a few lake trout and Dollies may be present off stream mouth in Kenai Lake. Stream closes to fishing on May 1.
UPPER KENAI RIVER: Rainbow trout are moving into the river along with a few Dolly Varden. Kenai Lake outlet doing fair for rainbows; spawned-out silvers persist. River closes to fishing on May 1.
RUSSIAN RIVER: Some ice and snow along parts of river; fair water flow. Some rainbows starting to come into the lower end. River closes to fishing on May 1.
LOWER/MIDDLE KENAI RIVER: Water flow is very low; some shelf ice present. A few rainbows and steelhead being caught. Upper section of middle river closes to fishing on May 1. No reports of hooligan. Halibut possible at mouth of river.
KASILOF RIVER: Shelf ice present in areas. Steelhead trout being caught in small numbers along with occasional Dolly Varden. First king salmon about a week away. Surf-casters at river mouth doing fair on halibut.
NINILCHIK RIVER/DEEP CREEK: Closed to all fishing until May 26.
ANCHOR RIVER: Closed to all fishing until May 19.
HOMER SPIT: Fair to very good fishing for Dolly Varden off beaches. Some flounder and codfish present. First king due any day.
DUDIAK LAGOON: No salmon yet; first king usually taken second week of May. A few Dolly Varden at mouth of outlet stream.
LOWE RIVER/VALDEZ: Fair opportunities for overwintering Dolly Varden in Keystone Canyon area; ice shelf in parts. Port Valdez will soon have sea-run char.