Area Sport Fishing Reports
Bristol Bay

July 1, 2026

Freshwater Fishing

Fishing for resident species such as rainbow trout, Arctic char, Arctic grayling, and northern pike is reported to be good to excellent. Spinners, spoons and flies should work well until salmon begin to spawn in mid-August.

Saltwater Fishing

Halibut fishing has been reported to be fair with mixed success off the coast of Protection Point.

Special Species Information

• Sockeye salmon begin to make their appearance in the Naknek, Kvichak, and other Eastern Bristol Bay rivers by late June. Prime waters to consider for the first week of July are the Egegik River, the Naknek River, the Kvichak drainage at Igiugig and Newhalen, and possibly the outlet of Ugashik Lake.
• Rainbow trout/ Dolly Varden/ Arctic grayling: In the Naknek River drainage fishing for rainbow trout is reported as fair this week. In the Wood River Lakes system fishing continues to be reported as good to excellent in larger tributaries of the lakes as well as at the outlets of larger tributaries.

King Salmon

Alagnak River and Togiak River: The Chinook salmon sport fishery in these rivers peaks in mid to late July.

Emergency Orders

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

• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-35-26 prohibits the retention of king salmon of any size in all waters of the Nushagak-Mulchatna River drainage, excluding the Wood River drainage. Effective 12:01 a.m. Sunday, June 28 through the remainder of the king salmon season, which closes at 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 31, 2026. King salmon may not be retained or possessed, this fishery is limited to catch-and-release only. King salmon caught while fishing may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
• Emergency Order 2-RS-2-36-26 increased the bag and possession limits for sockeye salmon to 10 fish in all waters of the Wood River drainage, effective through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2026. The bag and possession limit for other salmon, except king and sockeye salmon, remains at five fish. These limits for salmon, other than king and sockeye salmon, are in combination with the more liberal limits for sockeye salmon.
• Emergency Order 2-RS-2-37-26 increased the bag and possession limits for sockeye salmon to 10 fish in all waters of the Nushagak-Mulchatna River drainage, effective through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2026. The bag and possession limit for other salmon, except king and sockeye salmon, remains at five fish. These limits for salmon, other than king and sockeye salmon, are in combination (chum, pink, coho salmon combined to total a bag limit of five fish) with the more liberal limits for sockeye salmon.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-2-28-26 prohibits the use of bait in all waters of the Nushagak-Mulchatna River drainage, excluding the Wood River drainage. Only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure is allowed, effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 24 through the remainder of the king salmon season, which closes at 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 31, 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 it 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 ADF&G Bristol Bay Area Office at (907) 842-2427.