The Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon wasn’t exactly a hotspot for king-popping last week even for the couple of fish-stealing thug seals that showed up.
Nevertheless, it was still possible to stir up enough action for a few lucky line flingers to bag a Jack or two along with a couple of recordable dimwit Chinook that poked their heads in to see if the party had started yet.
The duo of blackmouth we spotted being hauled up the bank were a bit puny (5 to 7 pounds). The fishermen said their hits came during the cockcrow hours and were taken by floating small, plug-cut herring, a couple of feet below a bobber.
Easy now, don’t give yourself a deep-gouge wedgie trying to lunge into your Xtratufs while grabbing a pole and lures just to storm out there. That would be inappropriate, especially if you’re at work.
At the moment, the run remains so slow that a larger fleet of the fish mooching thugs haven’t given the place a serious wet snort yet. Plus, the humanoid jerks that can’t hook, much less land a fish unless it’s snagged, remain sequestered in their dens and dark cellars caressing their fouling gear until the larger schools arrive.
Time now to take a look at the fishing report for the week of June 3.
Freshwater Fishing
The Anchor River and Deep Creek remain closed to all sport fishing through July 15.
The Ninilchik River is open to fishing for hatchery king salmon June 7 to June 9. Fishing continued to be a drag over the last weekend but things could fire up a bit the next time around.
Spinners and spoons are obviously the best bet since the fishery is closed to the use of bait this season. If you inadvertently hook steelhead or wild kings, bring them to the bank as quickly as possible and release the fish without removing them from the water.
The Ninilchik River Youth-Only Fishery is Wednesday, June 4 from 6 am to 9:59 pm. Anglers 16 years and older may not fish during this opening but may assist youth anglers. Gear is restricted to one single-hook artificial lure. Expect poor to fair fishing depending on the water conditions but it’s still an excellent time to teach good techniques and sportsmanship.
Saltwater Fishing
Kachemak Bay/Cook Inlet
Groundfish
Halibut fishing has been hotter than an active lava flow including many areas within the bay. For those looking for hawg wannabees, try the shallow water from Bluff Point to Anchor Point. The primo time for targeting halibut is around slack tide because you can hold the bottom without a bowling ball for weight.
Surf fishing anglers were still having a ball on several of the Cook Inlet beaches last weekend. Their catches ran from halibut, sculpins, skates, sharks, flounders, to cod.
Don’t forget about fishing off the beachline on the tip of the Homer Spit — that location can be productive for a variety of the above mentioned groundfish along with an occasional salmon and various gelatinous mutants that have no names.
King Salmon
King fishing south of Bluff Point has been good with positive reports coming in from the Bluff and 4th of July areas, as well as throughout inner Kachemak Bay.
As mentioned earlier, the king run at the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon is nap-inducing slow, but there are a few more fish showing up. Expect poor fishing throughout the week but increase your chances by firing or soaking lures during the incoming or outgoing tides. Roe, herring, and mackerel filets under a bobber, along with spinners such as a blue Vibrax, are all proven approaches for nailing kings in the lagoon.
Youth-only fishing
The Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon Youth-Only fishery is on Saturday, June 7. The posted youth-only sport fishing area is across from the entrance to the lagoon. ADF&G staff will also be present at the NDFL from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with loaner gear and support. Anglers 16 years and older may not fish in this area but the remainder of the lagoon will remain open to all anglers. Bait is allowed and fishing should be poor to fair.
Expect snail-slow king fishing in the Seldovia Slough and Lagoon. Anglers were finding some luck fishing at the bridge. Give it a shot with cured eggs or herring under a slip bobber, plus a variety of spinners. Incoming tide is the best time to tie into a king at the bridge. High tide is better in the lagoon.
Current Emergency Orders
Anchor River and Deep Creek Closed to Sport Fishing
Sport Fishing for King Salmon Closed in Upper Cook Inlet Salt Waters
King Salmon Bag Limit Reduced from 2 to 1 in Lower Cook Inlet Salt Waters
Changes to King Salmon Gear in the Ninilchik River
Rockfish bag limit reduction: 2 pelagic, 1 non-pelagic. No retention of yelloweye May 27-June 30.
For additional information, please contact the Homer ADF&G Office at 907-235-8191.
Nick can be reached at ncvarney@gmail.com if he isn’t down at the cleaning tables jaw jack’n with some buds whacking halibut in Mud Bay.
