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River Fishing on the lower Kenai Peninsula, and Homer Alaska
Anchor River, Ninilchik River, Kasilof River, Deep Creek
Fishing Outlook for 2008 on the Lower Kenai Peninsula
MAY
Homer Spit Lagoon
The first King Salmon available to catch from shore should start trickling in to the Homer Spit Lagoon by the middle of May. This run of Kings should build in strength by month’s end.
Area Rivers
The Kasilof River is open every day with fair numbers of King Salmon starting to show by May 16, when bait is first allowed. Fishing will continue to improve throughout the remainder of May.
The Anchor River opens on Saturday, May 17 through Monday, May 19 for King Salmon. There should be fair numbers of King Salmon already in the river by then. New this year, the Anchor River will also be open on Wednesday, May 21, and every Wednesday after the weekend openers.
Next, the Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik Rivers all open on Saturday, May 24, of Memorial Day Weekend for three days through Monday May 26, for King Salmon. The Anchor River will also be open on Wednesday, May 28. Which rivers provide the best fishing largely depends on the amount of snow melt and recent rains.
| Fishing Wisdom If you ever wondered why fishing is probably the most popular sport in this country, watch that boy beside the brook and you will learn. If you are really perceptive you will. For he already knows that fishing is only one part fish. --Hal Borland 1954 |
JUNE
Homer Spit Lagoon
King Salmon should peak by the first week in June and remain strong until the middle of the month. This can be an extremely enjoyable fishery, especially when hitting the tides right, in the early morning.
Area Rivers
The Kasilof River King Salmon fishery should peak by June 10 offering good fishing through the third week of June.
The Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik River all open for two more long weekends, (May 31 - June 2) and (June 7-June 9), with the Anchor River also open on Wednesday, June 4 and Wednesday, June 11. This second weekend in June is generally the peak of the King Salmon run in the rivers, and is also the last weekend that King fishing is allowed in Deep Creek and Ninilchik River, unless Fish & Game extends either one or both of these rivers for one more weekend. The Anchor River is open for one additional weekend, (June 14-June 16), with it's last Wednesday opener on June 18. All three rivers can be very productive and lots of fun to explore different fishing holes.
JULY
 A successful outing at the Homer Spit lagoon |
Homer Spit Lagoon
The first run of Silver Salmon should start to materialize by the second week in July in small numbers. By the latter part of the month, this fishery should peak, with good numbers of fish through July and into August.
Area Rivers
The Anchor River, Deep Creek and Ninilchik Rivers open for fishing again on July 1, and remain open for the rest of the year. Stariski Creek also opens on July 1. The Ninilchik River is the only one of these rivers that remains open for the taking of hatchery King Salmon.
 Fireweed in full bloom on Deep Creek |
On the rest of the rivers, regulations prohibit fishing for King Salmon. We use smaller gear and hooks to target after Dolly Varden trout, which will begin to migrate into the rivers. Any King Salmon accidentally hooked must be released unharmed in the water. Dolly fishing will build by the middle of the month, and will continue to remain strong through most of the month.
| Fishing Wisdom All Americans believe that they are born fishermen. For a man to admit to a distaste for fishing would be like denouncing mother-love and hating moonlight. -- John Steinbeck 1954 |
AUGUST
 Another successful outing at the Homer Spit lagoon |
Homer Spit Lagoon
August will be an exciting month at the Homer Spit Lagoon, as the second run of Silver Salmon begin returning in early August. This second Silver run builds to a peak in late August and offers some fabulous fishing action with light tackle.
Area Rivers
 A Silver hooked on the Ninilchik River |
All four rivers offer excellent fishing for Silver Salmon in August. By the middle of this month, Silvers are usually quite abundant and fishing can get pretty wild throughout the rest of August. Also on August 1, the upper rivers open for fishing except for King Salmon 20” or longer, and other Salmon 16” or longer. This offers some new fishing holes to explore, when fishing for Dolly Varden trout, etc.
| Fishing Wisdom “To go fishing is the chance of washing one’s soul with pure air, with the rush of the brook, or with the shimmer of the sun on blue water. It brings meekness and inspiration from the decency of nature, charity toward tackle-makers, patience toward fish, a mockery of profits and egos, a quieting of hate, a rejoicing that you do not have to decide anything until next week. And it is discipline in the equality of men- for all men are equal before fish.” --Herbert Hoover |
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER
 Gary and client with fall male dolly on the upper Anchor River |
Homer Spit Lagoon
The first part of September will continue to provide good Silver Salmon fishing. Around the middle of the month, the fish will no longer be on the bite, and snagging will eventually be allowed.
Area Rivers:
 Client with first Steelhead, upper Anchor River |
All area rivers will still provide good Silver fishing for the first part of September, but only unbaited, single-hook artificial lures are allowed, starting Sept. 1. As the Silvers begin to decrease, the Steelhead will increase throughout the month and should peak by month’s end. Steelhead fishing is catch and release only, and the fish must be released unharmed in the water. Still, this offers some of the most exciting fishing available. Dolly Varden Trout will still be present in specific stretches of the rivers, and fishing for Dollies and Steelhead will continue through October.
Please keep in mind that this Salmon outlook is only our best educated guess for what to expect, based on our past experience.. |
