In the next week, there will be two youth-only king salmon fisheries opened for one day each in Homer and in Ninilchik.
The Department of Fish and Game announced the opportunity in a release on Monday, saying that the fisheries will be open only to anglers who are 15 years old or younger.
In Homer, fishing will be available all day Saturday, June 3, at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon in a posted “youth-only sport fishing area” across from the lagoon’s entrance. Anyone 16 and older may not fish in this area, but can fish in other parts of the lagoon, the release says.
In Ninilchik, at the Ninilchik River, the fishery will be held on Wednesday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the lower river from the Sterling Highway Bridge to the mouth and including the harbor. Anyone 16 and older may not fish in the area during the opening, but may assist younger anglers.
In Ninilchik, only hatchery salmon can be removed from the water. These fish are differentiated from wild king salmon by their missing adipose fin. Any wild salmon with the adipose fin must be immediately released unharmed without being removed from the water.
Both areas will be staffed for a few hours on their respective days by department staff. They can assist younger anglers and provide loaner gear. In Homer, department staff will be present from noon to 3 p.m. In Ninilchik, department staff will be present from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
At both sites, the bag and possession limits will be two king salmon of any size. Any fish caught greater than 20 inches long must be recorded on a sport fishing license, the mobile app, or on a harvest card. All king salmon caught in the fisheries are part of the Cook Inlet annual limit of five salmon.
Additional information about regulations and opportunities can be found at adfg.alaska.gov. Regulations for the Homer and Ninilchik fisheries can be found on page 72 and 74 of the 2023 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
