UTERChum (dog) salmon fishing in Southcentral Alaska
In Southcentral Alaska, chum (dog) salmon peak July and are around June–August, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. July: Resurrection Bay saltwater chum early July to early August.
Not in Southcentral Alaska this month.
Chum (dog) salmon in Southcentral Alaska, month by month
- JanuaryNot here
- FebruaryNot here
- MarchNot here
- AprilNot here
- MayNot here
- JuneArrivingPWS chum at Lake Bay from early June; Main Bay mid-June.
- JulyPeakResurrection Bay saltwater chum early July to early August.
- AugustLeavingLast chum in the north Gulf Coast salt.
- SeptemberNot here
- OctoberNot here
- NovemberNot here
- DecemberNot here
Where to fish chum (dog) salmon near Homer, Seward, Kenai
Kachemak Bay and lower Cook Inlet off the Kenai Peninsula, Resurrection Bay at Seward, Prince William Sound's fjords and glaciers, and the Kodiak archipelago — plus the Kenai, Kasilof and Russian rivers' famous runs.
What to use for chum (dog) salmon
- HerringCut-plug for salmon: head off at an angle, guts out, two hooks in tandem so it spins slow behind a flasher or a banana weight. Whole and live on a circle hook for stripers where the herring run.
- Salmon eggs (roe)A dime-sized spawn sac tied in mesh, or single eggs on a #10 to #6 egg hook, drifted along the bottom for steelhead, trout and salmon. Check the state's rule — bait is banned on many trout and salmon waters.
- Leader20–40 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#1–4/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 42–58°F water, best at 46–54°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch chum (dog) salmon in Southcentral Alaska?
Peak season is July. Chum (dog) salmon are in Southcentral Alaska June–August. July: Resurrection Bay saltwater chum early July to early August.
Where do chum (dog) salmon hold in Southcentral Alaska?
Look on beach / surf, pass / inlet, channel edge, river — around Homer, Seward, Kenai, Soldotna, Valdez, Whittier.
What is the best bait for chum (dog) salmon in Southcentral Alaska?
Live bait: herring, salmon eggs (roe). Herring: Cut-plug for salmon: head off at an angle, guts out, two hooks in tandem so it spins slow behind a flasher or a banana weight. Whole and live on a circle hook for stripers where the herring run. Tackle: leader 20–40 lb fluorocarbon, hook #1–4/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for chum (dog) salmon in Southcentral Alaska?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and change — read the current rule at https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishregulations.main before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=license.main.
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