Area Sport Fishing Reports
North Gulf Coast/Resurrection Bay

September 16, 2026

General Area Description: Salt waters within 200 miles of shore from the longitude of Gore Point to the longitude of Cape Fairfield. All fresh waters between Gore Point and Cape Fairfield.

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• The freshwater section of Resurrection River up to Nash Road is open to all salmon fishing except kings. Only unbaited, single-hook artificial lures or flies are allowed in this open section. Snagging is not allowed in freshwater. Coho (silver) salmon fishing has been slow and fish have been slow to enter with the low water. There are over 250 fish that have passed through the Bear Creek weir, with fishing and passage expected to improve in the next few weeks with some upcoming rain.
• The Seward Lagoon and outfall stream opened to coho (silver) almon fishing for youth anglers only (15 years old and under) on August 25th and will continue through October 5th, by Emergency Order. Fishing has been slow as the low water has slowed the entry of coho salmon into the lagoon. Fishing should improve with some forecasted rain. Try casting spinners, spoons, or fish bait such as roe under a bobber.
  • Reminder: Only one hook (single or treble) may be used during the youth-only fishery, but bait is permitted.

Rainbow Trout/Dolly Varden/Arctic Char

Dolly Varden and rainbow trout are present in Seward streams. Dolly Varden fishing has picked up, and fishing is near its peak. There should many char and trout feeding on salmon eggs from spawning pink salmon. Try fishing egg imitations or beads in clear water streams to target these fish.

Saltwater Fishing

Halibut

Halibut fishing has been reported as fair for anglers traveling outside of Resurrection Bay and slow inside Resurrection Bay. Fishing is starting to slow down with larger fish starting to migrate offshore. Expect to catch mostly chickens (8-25 pounds) this time of year. The best approach will be to anchor up with a chum bag and fish large herring or salmon viscera on circle hooks. Jigs have been working great lately as well. Dropping hook sizes may improve catch rates with mostly smaller fish being around.

Lingcod

Lingcod season opened on July 1 outside of Resurrection Bay. Fishing has been fair this late into the season. Try targeting rocky pinnacles and outcroppings with large twister tail jigs tipped with herring.

Rockfish

Anglers have reported excellent catch rates of mostly black rockfish near the entrance of Resurrection Bay, near the Chiswell Islands, and many of the rocky points along the Gulf of Alaska. Schools of rockfish can be readily found by looking for structure and fish marks on your fish finder.

Other finfish

Pacific cod are still getting picked up inside and outside Resurrection Bay when targeting other fish species though they aren’t nearly as abundant as earlier in the summer.

Salmon

• King salmon continue to be caught inside Resurrection Bay but mostly small fish. Try trolling cut plug herring or spoons along the shoreline from the town of Seward out to Caines Head.
• Coho salmon fishing picked up in Resurrection Bay. Fish are being caught mostly towards the head of the bay. Small schools have been located closer to town such as near the Sea Life Center, outside the harbor, and along the town front. Try trolling medium-sized herring, and once a school is located switch to mooching herring with a hoochie squid through the school.
• More coho are starting to be picked up at the mouth of the Seward Lagoon Outflow, often referred to as the “culvert”. Fishing has been very variable and has been very hot and cold. Anglers can snag in saltwater, but casting hardware like large spoons and spinners work around the tide. Incoming tide seems to be the best producer.

Local lakes

Troop Lake can be an excellent location to target rainbow trout and Arctic char. This is a highly underutilized lake. It is a short hike, but where the trail meets the lake, anglers can catch rainbow trout easily. A pack raft could be used to explore the lake, improve catch rates, and give anglers access to Arctic Char.

Emergency Orders

Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

• Effective September 8, Emergency Order 2-SS-8-50-26 extends the youth-only sport fishery in the Seward Lagoon and the lagoon outfall stream by 28 days, through Monday, October 5, 2026.

Don't forget to purchase your 2026 sport fishing license and king stamp! You can purchase and display your fishing license and king stamp, record your annual harvest (i.e. king salmon), access sport fishing regulations and locations, and so much more on your mobile device. Download the ADF&G Mobile App today. You can also purchase licenses through the ADF&G online store and print them off from the comfort of your own home.

Make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2026 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.

For additional information, please contact the Anchorage Office at 907-267-2218.