Kenai Peninsula Borough County, AK · Pacific Ocean
Homer / Kachemak Bay
Kenai Peninsula Borough County, AK
The "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World" at the end of the Homer Spit on Kachemak Bay. Charter and private boats run the lower Cook Inlet for barn-door Pacific halibut, lingcod, and rockfish, with silver salmon staged off the Spit in late summer. Live tide from the Seldovia NOAA station and conditions from the Cook Inlet buoy.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Lingcod & Rockfish — tied at the top (83/100)
2 species tied for best of 4 tracked at Homer / Kachemak Bay.
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Today's Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:36 AM | High | 18.6 ft |
| 7:32 AM | Low | -2.3 ft |
| 2:10 PM | High | 16.2 ft |
| 7:35 PM | Low | 4.3 ft |
Species at Homer / Kachemak Bay
4 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 2 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Lingcod Great day to fish for Lingcod. In season 83/100
What's helping
- 49°F water — right in lingcod's ideal range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Ophiodon elongatus — A toothy, aggressive ambush predator of Pacific rocky reefs and kelp — hammers jigs and live bait fished near the bottom. Often caught while rockfishing; big “lings” are a prize from jetties and nearshore reefs.
Prefers. Water 45–58°F (ideal 52°F) · either tide · depth 20–300 ft.
Last verified 39 days ago on 2026-06-03. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- no limit
Southeast: lingcod carry season and annual/size limits (nonresidents commonly 1–2/year within a size slot, open ~mid-May–Nov). Confirm the current area rule.
Source: Alaska regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Rockfish Great day to fish for Rockfish. In season 83/100
What's helping
- 49°F water — right in rockfish's ideal range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Sebastes spp. — The Pacific “RCG complex” — dozens of Sebastes species worked over rocky reefs, kelp, and structure from jetties to offshore banks. The backbone of West Coast bottom fishing; dropped baits and shrimp flies take them.
Prefers. Water 45–58°F (ideal 52°F) · either tide · depth 20–300 ft.
Last verified 39 days ago on 2026-06-03. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 5
Southeast: pelagic rockfish commonly 5/day for residents, 3/day for nonresidents, within a combined rockfish limit; non-pelagic (yelloweye) are tightly capped. Confirm the area.
Source: Alaska regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#3 Pacific Halibut Great day to fish for Pacific Halibut. In season 71/100
What's helping
- 49°F water — inside pacific halibut's active range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Hippoglossus stenolepis — The giant flatfish of the North Pacific — the premier saltwater quarry from Homer to Sitka, where "barn-door" halibut can exceed 300 lb. Caught on the bottom in deep water with heavy gear and bait, it is managed coast-wide by the International Pacific Halibut Commission, so daily limits and size rules are set annually and differ for guided vs. unguided anglers.
Prefers. Water 37–55°F (ideal 45°F) · either tide · depth 60–600 ft.
Last verified 39 days ago on 2026-06-03. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 2
IPHC Area 3A (Southcentral, incl. Homer): unguided anglers 2 halibut/day, no size limit. Guided (charter) anglers in 3A are limited to 2/day within a reverse-slot (≤34" or ≥80"). Southeast (Area 2C) charter anglers have a one-fish daily size rule. Set annually by the IPHC.
Source: Alaska regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#3 Coho Salmon Check local Coho Salmon regulations before you keep one. Regs unverified 71/100
We don't have confirmed size, creel, or season rules for Coho Salmon in AK on file yet. The live conditions score still applies — but confirm the current regulations with your state agency before keeping any fish.
What's helping
- 49°F water — inside coho salmon's active range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Oncorhynchus kisutch — “Silvers” — acrobatic, aggressive salmon that school near the surface and along piers in summer before their fall tributary run. A staple of the Great Lakes stocking program and the Pacific coast alike.
Prefers. Water 44–58°F (ideal 53°F) · either tide · depth 10–120 ft.
No regulations on file for Alaska / pacific. Check the appropriate state agency directly before fishing.
Location Info
Water Body
Pacific Ocean
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Alaska
Coordinates
Notes
IPHC Area 3A: unguided anglers 2 halibut/day, no size limit; charter anglers fish a reverse-slot. Limits set annually — confirm before the trip.
Local reports & rules for Homer / Kachemak Bay: Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game fishing report → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Homer / Kachemak Bay?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Homer / Kachemak Bay you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Homer / Kachemak Bay?
Homer / Kachemak Bay is listed on this site for 4 commonly-targeted species: Pacific Halibut, Lingcod, Rockfish, Coho Salmon. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Homer / Kachemak Bay?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Homer / Kachemak Bay against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Homer / Kachemak Bay have?
Homer / Kachemak Bay has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. IPHC Area 3A: unguided anglers 2 halibut/day, no size limit; charter anglers fish a reverse-slot. Limits set annually — confirm before the trip.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Homer / Kachemak Bay?
state agency regulations apply at Homer / Kachemak Bay. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Homer / Kachemak Bay tidal water?
Yes. Homer / Kachemak Bay sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.