Artificial Lure here with your June 11th, 2025 Bristol Bay fishing report!

We’re into the bright long days of June, and Bristol Bay’s salmon season is heating up. Sunrise hits early at 5:56 a.m. and sunset isn’t until 11:28 p.m. You’ve got nearly endless daylight to wet a line or run the nets. Today’s tides at Port Moller bring a high tide at 12:43 a.m. peaking at 10.37 feet, then a low tide at 7:04 a.m. at 6.56 feet, with another high at 9:50 a.m. (7.18 feet) and the evening low at 5:57 p.m. dropping to -0.64 feet. Fish those moving tides for your best shot—salmon push with the flow, especially at the big river mouths.

Weather’s shaping up pleasant and stable, with light winds and moderate temps—great conditions for both the setnetters and the sport crowd. Just watch out for the occasional rain squall or fog bank rolling off the Bering.

Sockeye are the big story again this year. The preseason forecast put the 2025 total run at around 51.4 million sockeye, with an expected inshore harvest pushing 34.8 million. That’s a bit under the past decade’s massive booms, but still well above the long-term average for these historic runs, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association. Naknek and Kvichak rivers continue to lead the pack—recent tallies saw more than half a million sockeye in a single day, with baywide catches several times this week exceeding a million, most of that from Naknek/Kvichak and the rest spread across Egegik, Ugashik, and even Togiak.

Fish size is running on the small side so far, but the numbers are solid. The bulk of the sockeye are three-ocean, age-1.3 fish—bright, strong, and perfect for the grill or the net pen.

Chums and a few early kings are also appearing. Togiak’s king run is below average once again, so regulations have tightened—watch for emergency orders and respect the closures on mesh size and fishing times if you’re working those waters.

What are the fish biting? For sport anglers, reds are aggressive right out of the salt, so try small pink or red streamers, bead rigs, and classic sockeye flies. If you’re chucking hardware, go for shiny spinners or spoons—Blue Fox Vibrax, Mepps, or Pixees in hot orange or chartreuse. Drifters have done well using plug-cut herring or bright, flashy hoochies behind dodgers. For chums, green and pink are money.

Hot spots today:
- Naknek River mouth—both sport and commercial catches have been big as fresh fish push in with the tide.
- Kvichak flats—consistent bite for both bank and boat anglers, with some big sockeye mixed in.
- Egegik River tide zone—rising numbers and good water clarity.

That’s your June 11th update from Bristol Bay. Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss the bite. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Bristol Bay fishing report for today, Saturday, June 7th, 2025.

The sockeye surge continues in full swing around Bristol Bay! We're seeing fantastic numbers with the forecasted inshore run at approximately 49.8 million sockeye this season. The big news this week is the continued strong showing with catches dropping off slightly from their peak but still maintaining healthy numbers.

Let's talk tide conditions for today. At Port Moller, we've got a low tide at 2:40 AM measuring 5.01 feet, followed by a high tide at 7:50 AM reaching 8.51 feet. Later, expect an afternoon low tide at 3:05 PM that's practically at sea level at just 0.03 feet, and the evening high tide peaks at 10:21 PM hitting 9.37 feet. First light is at 5:58 AM with sunset way late at 11:24 PM – giving you plenty of fishing time!

The Naknek-Kvichak district continues to produce the majority of the daily harvest, with fleet-wide catches over a million fish earlier this week. If you're heading out to the Nushagak area, be aware that biologists have been concerned about meeting escapement goals due to those weaker 2019 and 2020 brood years.

For those targeting kings, they've been spotted in all terminal areas around Juneau. However, note that king salmon runs to the Togiak River have been below average for several years, and we're expecting another poor run this season.

Hot spots today: I'd focus efforts on the Naknek River, which has been consistently producing. The Wood River system is also showing promise with its escapement goal range adjusted upward this year. For those looking to avoid the crowds, the Alagnak River is worth checking out if you can get there.

Gear recommendations: With sockeye being the main attraction, your best bet is a size 4 to 6 fly in bright red or orange. Flash flies with a bit of pink have been especially effective in the early mornings. For conventional gear, pixee spoons in red/silver combos and small spinners have been getting action. Remember that mesh size is restricted to 5.5 inches or smaller between June 15 and July 15 to conserve king salmon.

If you're planning to fish the Togiak District, remember the regulations: the Togiak Bay Section is open four days per week, the Kulukak Section two and a half days, and the Matogak, Osviak, and Cape Peirce Sections five days per week.

Thanks for tuning in to today's report! Don't forget to subscribe for daily updates throughout the season. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

# Bristol Bay Angler's Report – June 6, 2025

Howdy folks, Artificial Lure here with your morning fishing report for Bristol Bay. It's Friday, June 6th, and we're looking at prime conditions for what promises to be an exceptional season.

## Weather & Tides

The tides are running right on schedule today with high tide at 7:25 AM standing at 9.17 feet, followed by a low tide at 2:27 PM dropping to just 0.33 feet. We'll see another high tide tonight at 9:23 PM hitting 8.91 feet. Sun's up early at 5:59 AM and won't set until 11:23 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to work with.

## Current Run Status

The big news is the sockeye are starting to show up in force! The Alaska Department of Fish and Game predicted a monster run of nearly 50 million sockeye for Bristol Bay this season, and early indicators suggest they might have underestimated again. Remember, they typically underforecast by about 15% on average since 2005.

King salmon are also making appearances in the terminal areas, though the Togiak River kings have been below average these past few years, so temper your expectations if you're heading that way.

## Hot Spots

The Naknek-Kvichak district has been the most productive area recently, bringing in about half the daily harvest. Egegik has been hot too – they brought in 98% of the catch just a couple weeks ago when things were getting started. If you're looking to avoid crowds but still hook into some action, try the Wood River system where they're expecting a run between 700,000 and 3 million sockeye this year.

## Tactics & Techniques

With the sockeye running smaller than usual this year according to Fish and Game, I'd recommend downsizing your presentations. Silver spinners in size #2 have been working well in the moving water, while pink and red flies are your best bet if you're swinging.

For kings, remember that mesh restrictions of 5.5 inches or smaller are in effect through July 15th to help conserve the population, so plan your gear accordingly.

## Regulations Reminder

If you've been fishing other districts and want to hit Togiak, remember you're restricted until the mid-point of the Togiak River escapement goal has been achieved. The department will announce when that happens, so keep your ears open.

The Nushagak River has an escapement goal range of 370,000 to 1.4 million sockeye and 55,000 to 120,000 kings, so expect management actions to maintain these levels.

## Parting Words

All in all, we're looking at what could be a banner year with the forecast calling for a harvestable surplus of over 36 million sockeye. Get out there early, respect the resource, and tight lines to you all!

Thanks for tuning in to your Bristol Bay fishing report. Don't forget to subscribe for daily updates throughout the season. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

Artificial Lure with your Bristol Bay fishing report for Wednesday, June 4th, 2025. The sockeye surge is in full swing and Bristol Bay is humming again this week as millions of salmon push toward the rivers and anglers cash in on the early-season action.

Weather this morning is on the cooler side with mist hanging over the water, typical for June in the Bay. Expect high temps near the mid-50s and some cloud cover, but nothing that should keep you off the water. Sunrise came in bright and early at 6:04 AM, and sunset is about as late as you’ll find anywhere in the country right now—11:16 PM. That’s a whopping 17 hours of daylight to work your flies, spinners, or bait. Tides for Port Moller are showing a morning high around 5:40 AM and a midday low at 12:07 PM, so prime fishing will bracket those shifts as the salmon stack up in the shallows and near river mouths.

The big headline is sockeye. Alaska Department of Fish and Game has forecast a massive return this season—over 51 million sockeye projected into Bristol Bay, with a potential harvestable surplus of around 36.4 million fish. That’s not quite last season’s historic haul, but it’s way above the long-term average and every bit as exciting for anglers. Fish counts are rolling in strong on the Nushagak, Kvichak, Naknek, and Egegik rivers, with boats regularly limiting out and guides reporting solid action along the flats and gravel bars. In recent days, crews have been catching plenty of bright, hard-fighting sockeye with average weights in the 5-to-7-pound range. Early Chinook are trickling into the Nushagak and Wood rivers as well, but the main push still looks to be a week or so out.

Best lures right now are classic flashy spinners—think #3 Blue Fox Vibrax in silver or chartreuse, Mepps Aglia, or a hammered brass Pixee spoon. Sockeye are also slamming on smaller flies like the Sockeye Lantern, Clouser Minnow, and good old egg-sucking leeches. For bait, cured salmon roe remains unbeatable if regulations allow, but beads and yarn are also productive. Don’t forget your fluorocarbon leaders, especially during the midday sun.

For hot spots, the Nushagak River continues to be the can’t-miss location for both sockeye and early kings. Down on the Egegik mouth, boats are scoring as fish ride the flood, while the Naknek River’s Rapids Camp is lighting up for the walk-and-wade crowd. Also worth checking: the Kvichak River flats at first light and the inside edge of Ugashik bay on a dropping tide.

That’s it for today from Bristol Bay—get out there, be safe, and wet a line while the bite holds strong. Thanks for tuning in to the report, don’t forget to subscribe for all your daily updates. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

# Bristol Bay Fishing Report: June 1, 2025

Hey there anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Sunday morning fishing report for Bristol Bay.

It's a beautiful day out on the water with sunrise at 6:03 AM and sunset coming late at 11:17 PM, giving us plenty of daylight for fishing. Tide's running high at 4:56 AM this morning hitting about 11.6 feet, so plan your day accordingly.

The big story this season is the 2025 Bristol Bay sockeye run, which is shaping up to be solid. We're expecting about 49.6-49.8 million sockeye salmon to come through the bay this year. While that's below the recent 10-year average, it's still about 50% higher than the long-term historical average. Commercial fleets are looking at a potential harvest of around 32-36 million fish.

If you're heading out today, you should know the bay-wide catch is building momentum. As of last week, numbers were still modest at around 300,000 fish total for the season, with Egegik fleets bringing in the majority of recent catches.

For those targeting the Nushagak, be aware that the sockeye counts have been slow lately with daily counts under 1,000 fish, though the total run forecast for the river is about 3.5 million sockeye. The Wood River is also seeing small daily runs but expecting about 7.8 million sockeye this season.

Chinook salmon in the Nushagak have been passing at a few hundred per day, with about 10,000 upstream so far. Chum salmon are also present with over 45,000 already passed.

Hot spots to try today include the Togiak Bay Section, but remember that king salmon runs have been below average for several years there, so they're using conservation measures. If you're planning to fish in Togiak, note that mesh size is restricted to 5.5 inches or smaller between June 15 and July 15 to protect those kings.

For gear, I'm finding that smaller profile lures are working well in the current conditions. Try using brighter colors during morning hours and switching to darker patterns as the sun gets higher. Fresh herring remains the top bait choice this time of year.

The Port Moller area is also seeing good activity with today's high tide coming in at 11.61 feet early morning. Those deep channels will be holding fish waiting to move upstream.

If you're experienced with the area, the flats near the Wood River mouth can be productive as those sockeye stage before making their push upriver. Just watch those tides – you don't want to get stranded out there.

Thanks for tuning in to today's report. I'll be back next week with more updates as this salmon season really gets going. Don't forget to subscribe for more fishing reports from around the region.

This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

Artificial Lure here with your Bristol Bay fishing report for May 31, 2025.

Today around the Bay, we’re seeing a picture-perfect start to summer. Port Moller tide tables are calling for a high at 3:19 AM at 12.09 feet, a low at 9:17 AM at 4.03 feet, a second high at 2:19 PM at 8.34 feet, and an evening low at 8:59 PM dropping to -1.66 feet. That means your classic early high, falling to mid-morning slack, then another push before supper hits its stride. With sunrise at 6:04 AM and sunset dragging out to 11:16 PM, there’s all the daylight you could want for a full day on the water.

Weather’s holding steady, with cool mornings and highs in the upper 40s to low 50s, some cloud cover and a light breeze out of the southwest. Water temps in the rivers and tidal estuaries are creeping up, and clarity is good—almost too good, so approach any shallow run with stealth.

The talk of the docks remains salmon—especially sockeye. Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game forecasts a huge 2025 inshore sockeye run: nearly 50 million fish, with a harvest surplus north of 34 million. The early commercial test fisheries are getting off to a slower start, likely thanks to calm winds making the water crystal clear, which leads the reds to dodge the nets a bit. That said, every captain knows: once we get a bit of weather, those schools will push in fast and heavy. The herring fleet, by the way, just wrapped up a strong season, bringing in most of their 30,000-ton quota, so baitfish and biomass are strong—great news for predators and anglers alike.

Chasing sockeye on the flats? The usual suspects are working—sockeye are still keen on smaller, flashy streamers like the Sockeye Lantern, Copper Swan, and Clouser Minnows. For the fly crowd, get that fly deep with a split shot if the current’s up, and work the seams. Spin anglers are getting fish on Vibrax spinners in bright reds, oranges, and pinks. If you’re drifting bait, roe cured in a little shrimp oil or a pink yarn fly is a regional staple.

Trout, char, and grayling fishing is excellent around the tributaries and sloughs. The Naknek and Kvichak rivers are heating up—big rainbows and feisty char are crushing egg imitations and small leech patterns. Northern pike are active in the back lakes and sloughs near the Nushagak; try weedless spoons, topwater frogs, or a big white streamer.

Top Hot Spots for today:
- Naknek River tailouts for rainbows and early sockeye.
- Togiak Bay for a mix of resident species and a shot at fresh salmon pushing in with the tides.

Remember, king salmon runs on the Togiak are expected to be light again, so mind those emergency orders and keep your focus on sockeye, reds, and char.

Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure’s Bristol Bay report! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a tide.

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Good morning, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Friday fishing report for Bristol Bay on May 30, 2025.

The big news is the massive sockeye run we're expecting this season. Bristol Bay is gearing up for a total run of about 50 million sockeye salmon, which is just above the 20-year average. The commercial harvest is projected to be around 35 million fish, with the Nushagak District alone expecting an inshore run of over 20 million sockeye.

The early kings are also showing up, though the Togiak River king salmon run has been below average for several years, and this trend is expected to continue. If you're targeting kings, you'll want to be mindful of conservation efforts, especially around the Togiak River.

Today's tides at Port Moller show a high tide at 2:27 AM at 12.12 feet, with a low tide following. Tomorrow's high tide comes in at 3:19 AM reaching 12.09 feet. Sunrise is at 6:04 AM and sunset won't be until 11:16 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to land that perfect catch.

Water conditions are improving after last week's high water. Streams should be dropping to ideal levels, making for good fishing conditions. For steelhead, focus on deeper pools and structure, but remember to leave spawning fish alone. Ripping fish off redds is not only bad fishing karma but hurts future runs.

Dollies are starting to show up in the saltwater, with consistent catches reported at Sheep Creek and Echo Cove. Try smaller fry patterns for these – if natural colors aren't producing, switch to pink or chartreuse.

For sockeye, the forecast shows about 59% are expected to be age-1.3 fish (one year in freshwater, three in saltwater), which should mean larger fish averaging around 5.4 pounds – considerably bigger than last year's 4.2-pound average.

Hot spots this weekend: Nushagak Bay is looking prime for sockeye action, while Togiak Bay is following its regular weekly schedule with fishing permitted four days per week. Just remember that Peterson Creek, the salt chuck, and saltwater within 200 yards of the mouth are closed to all fishing through June to protect struggling steelhead runs.

If you're heading out on the water, the weather's looking favorable compared to last week's challenging conditions. Pack lighter tackle for the dollies and don't forget your camera – with these runs, you'll want proof of your catch!

Thanks for tuning in to your Friday fishing report. Be sure to subscribe for weekly updates on the best fishing Bristol Bay has to offer. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

BRISTOL BAY FISHING REPORT - May 28, 2025

Good morning, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Wednesday fishing report for Bristol Bay.

Folks, we're looking at a beauty of a day ahead with temperatures hovering around 55 degrees and partly cloudy skies. Sunrise was at 4:52 AM and sunset will be late tonight at 11:38 PM, giving us plenty of daylight for those long fishing sessions. Tides are running with a high at 10:23 AM (14.2 feet) and low at 4:47 PM (1.3 feet), so plan your boat trips accordingly.

The big news continues to be our massive sockeye salmon forecast. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is predicting a run of about 51.38 million sockeye salmon for this year, which is fantastic news after last year's lower numbers. The commercial harvest is projected at around 34.8 million fish for Bristol Bay proper, with the first significant push of reds starting to show now.

Local anglers have been reporting excellent action in the Naknek and Kvichak Rivers this past week. Just yesterday, Bobby Thompson landed 12 sockeye in three hours using a simple red and silver Flash Fly. The fish are averaging 4-6 pounds and are fighting hard.

For those targeting the early kings, they're starting to show in decent numbers too. Try the deeper channels with Kwikfish in chartreuse or sardine-wrapped K15s in the traditional copper/red combo. The Nushagak is your best bet for kings right now, with a few 30+ pounders reported last weekend.

For gear recommendations, sockeye are hitting on the usual suspects: small, bright flies in pink, orange, or red. Your best bet is a #4 or #6 hook with a touch of flash. For bait fishermen, cured salmon eggs under a bobber is working well in the slower eddies, particularly during the early morning hours.

Hot spots this week: The mouth of the Egegik River has been absolutely on fire, especially on the outgoing tide. The confluence of the Wood and Nushagak Rivers is also producing consistent limits. For boat anglers, try working the deeper holes about a mile upstream from the King Salmon Creek junction.

The commercial fleet is gearing up for what looks to be a solid season, with the first period expected to open June 1st. This is a good sign for sport anglers as it confirms the fish are indeed moving in.

Remember, the best time to fish is whenever you can get out there, but if you're looking for prime time, the two hours before high tide has been the sweet spot.

That's all for today, folks. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and bent rods until next time!

Good morning from Bristol Bay, this is Artificial Lure with your fishing report for Monday, May 26, 2025. Sunrise hit the horizon around 5:20 AM and sunset will settle in just after 11:30 PM, giving us those long days that make fishing up here a treat.

The weather’s been classic late-spring Alaska—cool mornings in the low 40s warming up into the mid-50s by afternoon, with light winds out of the southwest and only scattered clouds. The tides today are moderate, with a low early this morning and a strong incoming tide set for late morning through early afternoon. That’s perfect for bringing in fresh fish from the bay.

Let’s talk fish. Bristol Bay is gearing up for another banner salmon season, with the 2025 forecast calling for nearly 50 million sockeye across the region, just above our 20-year average. The Nushagak District alone is expecting over 20 million sockeye to arrive, with hopes of hauling in about 15 million before the run’s done. Local commercial setnet and drift-fleet fishers are already prepping gear for what should be a strong and steady run over the next several weeks[1].

If you’re out for sport fishing, it’s been great for resident species—rainbow trout, Arctic char, and Arctic grayling are biting in the rivers and the lower lakes. Northern pike are active too, especially with the warming water. Best action has been on the swing with streamers or with small spinners, especially early and late in the day when fish are closer to shore[3].

For lures, nothing beats the classic combinations up here. Bright red or pink spinners, spoons, and beads are hot for sockeye. Try size 4 Vibrax or Pixee spoons, or a simple pink hoochie jig under a float. For rainbows and char, leech or egg patterns are reliable, especially with flesh drifting downstream after the early salmon. Natural bait—like salmon roe—also performs well when regulations allow.

Recent reports show good numbers of sockeye moving into the Nushagak and Wood Rivers. The lower Nushagak and the mouth of the Wood are both prime spots now. For hot spots, check Big Eddy on the Nushagak, and the flats near the Wood River mouth as the tide is rising—these spots stack up fish waiting to push upriver with the tide[3][1].

Overall, Bristol Bay is shaping up for another fantastic season. If the weather holds and the tides bring the fish in like today, it should be lines tight and coolers full. Good luck and tight lines out there!

BRISTOL BAY FISHING REPORT - May 25, 2025
by Artificial Lure, Local Angling Expert

Mornin' folks! It's another beautiful day here in Bristol Bay as we gear up for what's shaping up to be a monster salmon season. The sun rose at 5:14 AM and won't set until 11:32 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to get after those fish.

Weather today is typical May stuff - partly cloudy with temperatures around 52°F and light northwesterly winds at 8-10 mph. Tide's coming in until midday with a high of 15.2 feet around noon, then ebbing out to about 3 feet by evening.

The big news is the sockeye are starting to show up right on schedule! ADF&G's forecasting a whopping 49.8 million sockeye for Bristol Bay this season - just above the 20-year average but promising nonetheless. Early indicators suggest the Nushagak District will be particularly hot with over 20 million fish expected to return there alone.

Local commercial guys have been seeing the first scouts hitting the outer bay, but the main push is still a few weeks out. For you sport fishers, this means now's the time to get your gear ready before the madness begins mid-June.

King salmon numbers in the Togiak River have been below average for several years, and ADF&G expects another poor king run this year. They've already announced they'll be reducing fishing schedules in late June in the Togiak River Section, so plan accordingly if you're targeting kings.

For today's fishing, I'd recommend hitting the lower reaches of the Nushagak where early sockeye are starting to stage. Another hot spot is the mouth of the Kvichak River - some locals reported good action there yesterday evening on the incoming tide.

Lure-wise, pixies and spinners in pink and orange have been effective for early sockeye. If you're fly fishing, bright pink and chartreuse patterns are your best bet. For bait anglers, cured salmon roe is working well, especially in the deeper channels.

Word from Tim Sands over at Fish & Game is that we're expecting fish size to be up from last year in the Nushagak and Togiak Districts, so make sure your drag is set right!

Remember, the coho won't be showing up in numbers until July, so focus on the sockeye for now. And if you're heading out today, swing by Dillingham Harbor - I'll be down there fixing my nets and can point you toward some honey holes.

Tight lines and stay safe out there!