This weekend officially kicks off Reeling ‘Em In, where the stalwart crew of a well-seasoned fin stalker and his foot-warmer cur undertake another annual challenge to provide local and visiting zealous pescatarians the latest and fib-free information on what’s hitting what, and where.

So, if you haven’t done so, carefully approach your stockpiled tackle boxes and warily peek inside to check if anything is lurking that may be a revenge-seeking descendant of some organic bait you forgot about last fall.

If you detect movement or low growls, slowly secure the lid and purchase new gear, along with enough seal bombs to deal with whatever is gnawing at the walls of your pulsing gear stash.

R.E.I. will also provide you timely and vital information published by our local Alaska Department of Fish and Game office, along with highlights from discussions with blade wielders around the cleaning tables where tall tales are shared by highly questionable sources.

The weather forecast for the coming week looks good but a bit wet, with random showers roaming through the area poked along by varying winds. So, expect our usual tsunami of holiday tourists and angling-deprived fanatics.

OK, it’s time now to buckle up and take a look at the fishing report for the week.

Freshwater Fishing

The Anchor River and Deep Creek are closed to all sport fishing through July 15, as if you didn’t know that already. If you were clueless, this should keep you out of trouble unless you’re looking for it.

The Ninilchik River is open to fishing for hatchery kings, May 25-27.

Although water conditions are good, expect the fishing to be zombie slow as there are very few fish staged in the river this early in the run.

Try cured salmon roe under a slip bobber. Size 4 or 5 pink or chartreuse spinners could rile them up too. If you inadvertently nail a steelhead or wild king, get it to the bank as quickly as possible and release it without removing it from the water.

Saltwater Fishing

Kachemak Bay/Cook Inlet

Halibut

Halibut fishing is off to a slow roll but should continue to gain momentum.

More regular success is being reported from offshore locations, but those stalking the heftier brutes should try shallow water from Bluff Point to Anchor Point.

As usual, fishing around slack tide is the primo time for targeting halibut because you can hold the bottom with less weight. This weekend should prove the point.

Herring on a circle hook remains the most reliable and popular lure. However, octopus, salmon heads and jigs will also get you into the strike zone.

King Salmon

King fishing south of Bluff Point has been sporadic, with scattered reports from the Bluff area as well as throughout inner Kachemak Bay.

Spawning herring have been spotted within the bay, offering better fishing at times near those schools.

Small troll-herring, or “come hither” spoons, trailing a flasher remain prevalent leading setups, but hootchies and tube flies will also get their drool on.

Rockfish

Rockfish can be caught throughout Kachemak Bay and Cook Inlet by jigging or trolling. Remember to use a deepwater release mechanism if you need to release one, and keep in mind that the bag limit has been reduced to three. Yes, three.

Razor Clams

West Cook Inlet is open to razor clamming, but east Cook Inlet is closed. Access to West Cook Inlet is primarily by charter boat from the tractor launch at Deep Creek, but private boats and planes are also utilized.

Tides will be large enough by the end of the week to dig for the critters. The most popular locations are Polly Creek, Crescent River Bar and Clam Cove in Chinitna Bay. Digging has been good to excellent in recent seasons.

Surf Fishing

Surf fishing on Cook Inlet beaches has been slug-slow to fair recently. Line whippers are hauling in a variety of groundfish including halibut, sculpins, skates, sharks, flounders and cod.

Regulations changed at the December 2023 Board of Fisheries meeting to allow surf fishing for groundfish in the conservation zones surrounding the Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik River.

You still may not fish within 200 yards of the stream mouths — look out for posted orange regulatory signs.

Oh yeah, don’t forget about fishing off the tip of the Homer Spit — that location can be productive for a variety of groundfish and creatures that would give Stephen King nightmares.

Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon

Chinook are beginning to show in very small numbers, with an emphasis on “very.”

Expect slow fishing to continue throughout the week. How slow? Well, a very savvy fisherwoman savant, Shelley, reports that “The fishing’s so bad that even the liars aren’t catching any.”

Hold on, there’s still some hope.

Larger tides will move in over the weekend and should be flooding into the lagoon at around +11 feet. Plus, the holding pens have just been stocked with smolt, which will add some enticing scent to the water if more fish show up.

As a rule, your best shots at take-downs are during the incoming or outgoing tides.

Roe or small plug-cut herring floating a couple of feet below a bobber or tossing flashy spinners, such as a blue Vibrax, have been the “go to” enticements over the years. Rumor has it that cuts of mackerel drive them nuts too, but that’s a secret.

Final notes: Be sure to you pick up a copy of this year’s Sport Fishing Regulations Summary for South Central Alaska. It should be available wherever fishing licenses are sold.

Make sure you review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip:

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 Limits and Gear in the Ninilchik River

Cook Inlet Sport Fishing Regulation Changes

Questions? Contact the local ADF&G office at 907- 235- 8191.

Until next week…

Nick Varney can be reached at ncvarney@gmail.com.