Artificial Lure here with your Bristol Bay, Alaska fishing report for Friday, June 20, 2025.

We’re coming off a stretch of prime weather out here in the Bay. Early risers saw sunrise at 5:55 a.m. today, with late daylight stretching all the way to 11:32 p.m. Expect mostly mild conditions with light winds and highs in the upper 50s to low 60s. The long daylight makes for epic fishing windows—just remember to pack layers, as it can chill quickly in the late evening.

Tidal action at Port Moller is favorable for both beach and boat anglers. The first high tide hit at 5:35 a.m. around 10.3 feet, dropping to a near zero-foot low at 12:39 p.m., then rising again with the evening high at 7:18 p.m. at 8.6 feet. The morning and evening highs should really get fish moving, especially at creek mouths and slough edges, so time your casts accordingly.

Now, for the fish. Bristol Bay is once again living up to its name as the sockeye capital of the world. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is forecasting a sockeye run of nearly 50 million fish this season, just nudging above the 20-year average. In the Nushagak District alone, they expect over 20 million sockeye, with hopes of landing upwards of 15 million between setnetters and drifters. Fish size this year is already trending a bit above last year—so gear up for some real bruisers.

Commercial catches have been ramping up, and folks are reporting good numbers of bright, healthy reds entering both the Nushagak and Togiak systems. If you’re targeting sockeye, focus your efforts during those change-of-tide windows. Drifting or casting chartreuse or pink Pixees and Vibrax spinners is a standby, but don’t overlook a well-presented fly—think sparsely tied pink, blue, or green patterns on sturdy hooks. For bait, cured roe and shrimp chunks are money, especially near the river mouths on an incoming tide.

Chinook salmon action has been slower, particularly up the Togiak River—this run has been below average for several years, and managers are watching closely. Expect possible emergency order changes and reduced fishing periods on the Togiak as the month closes out. If you do luck into a king, big plugs and flashy spoons in silver or chartreuse work best.

As for hot spots, the Tikchik Narrows and the Nushagak River mouth are seeing real steady sockeye action, with locals also scoring in the Wood River area during the high tides. If you want to escape the crowds, sneak down to the lower Kvichak early or late in the day.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s Bristol Bay report. Don’t forget to subscribe for more up-to-date fishing news, tips, and hot local insight. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.