The Alaska Department of Fish and Game says king salmon are present in good numbers in the Ninilchik River, though anglers need to double-check their catch before taking it out of the water.
The Department says both hatchery and wild run fish are abundant, but that it is only the hatchery kings that can be kept. They can be identified by the absence of the adipose fin, which should be checked before taking the fish out of the water.
The bag and possession limit on the Ninilchik is one hatchery king that is 20-inches or greater in length. Managers suggest a variety of spinners, spoons and flies in an effort to get the fish to bite.
King salmon trolling in Lower Cook Inlet has improved over the past week, but remains slow. A trolling depth of 30- to 90-feet is reported to be most successful.
Halibut fishing has been consistent in offshore locations in Cook Inlet and some anglers are still catching decent fish in the shallow waters north of the Bluff Point area.
The Department also reports that spiny dogfish bycatch has increased. Dogfish are very long lived, up to 80 years, and do not reach maturity until about 30 years old, so Fish and Game is reminding anglers to use care when releasing these long lived sharks.
