It’s a fishing day

Deep Creek (Ninilchik) fishing conditions · Alaska

Nothing in seasonfor anything people fish for here

Every species people fish for here is out of season or closed today.

Log a trip here

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Alaska non-tidal regulations for these waters.

Steelhead

Steelhead

Oncorhynchus mykiss

–Not scoredNo targeting

No targetingClosed to targeting. Release any you hook at once.

Water

No water reading here right now. Steelhead bite in 40–55° water, best near 48°.

Why

Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Holds 2–60 ft down.

Keep

no harvest

Closed to targeting. Release any you hook at once. Rainbow/steelhead are catch-and-release only and may not be taken out of the water. The lower 2 miles are open July 16–October 31; above the markers, August 1–October 31 with one unbaited single-hook fly or lure. Alaska changes limits by Emergency Order in season, so check the ADF&G emergency orders the day you fish.

Verified Oct 18, 2026 · Lower 2 miles

Last checked 20 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Oct–Apr. More on steelhead

Coho Salmon

Coho salmon

Oncorhynchus kisutch

–Not scoredNo targeting

No targetingClosed to targeting. Release any you hook at once.

Water

No water reading here right now. Coho salmon bite in 44–58° water, best near 53°.

Why

Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Coho salmon is here May–Oct. Holds 10–120 ft down.

Keep

2 a day

Closed to targeting. Release any you hook at once. Kenai Peninsula flowing waters: chum, coho, pink and sockeye salmon 16" or longer are 3 a day in combination, 3 in possession, and only 2 of those may be coho. Open July 16–October 31 in the lower 2 miles only; upstream of the ADF&G markers, salmon fishing is closed year-round. Bait and multiple hooks only in August; otherwise one unbaited single-hook fly or lure. Alaska changes limits by Emergency Order in season, so check the ADF&G emergency orders the day you fish.

Verified Oct 18, 2026 · Deep Creek, lower 2 miles

Last checked 20 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: May–Oct. More on coho salmon

Chinook Salmon

Chinook salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

–Not scoredOut of season

Out of seasonOut of season here today. Check the agency before fishing.

Water

No water reading here right now. Chinook salmon bite in 42–58° water, best near 50°.

Why

Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Chinook salmon is here Apr–Oct. Holds 15–150 ft down.

Keep

20" minimum · 1 a day

Out of season here today. Check the agency before fishing. King salmon fishing in the Kenai River, the Anchorage area and most Kenai Peninsula fresh water is closed in 2026 by emergency order. Do not fish for kings, and release any you hook immediately. Alaska changes limits by Emergency Order in season, so check the ADF&G emergency orders the day you fish.

Verified Oct 18, 2026 · Alaska non-tidal

Last checked 20 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–Oct. More on chinook salmon

Dolly Varden

Dolly Varden

Salvelinus malma

–Not scoredNo targeting

No targetingClosed to targeting. Release any you hook at once.

Water

No water reading here right now. Dolly Varden bite in 38–58° water, best near 48°.

Why

Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Dolly Varden is here May–Oct. Holds 1–15 ft down.

Keep

2 a day

Closed to targeting. Release any you hook at once. Kenai Peninsula flowing waters: Arctic char/Dolly Varden are 2 a day, 2 in possession, no size limit. The lower 2 miles are closed to all fishing January 1–July 15 and open July 16–October 31; above the markers, other species may be fished August 1–October 31 with one unbaited single-hook fly or lure. Alaska changes limits by Emergency Order in season, so check the ADF&G emergency orders the day you fish.

Verified Nov 6, 2026 · Lower 2 miles

Season here: May–Oct. More on Dolly Varden

The water

  • Water temperatureNo reading
  • Barometer29.38 inHg, rising

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunset today4:56 pm
  • Sunrise tomorrow8:47 am
  • MoonWaning crescent, 5% lit
  • Major solunarToday 10:40 am–12:40 pm
  • Minor solunarToday 3:20 pm–4:20 pm
  • Major solunarTonight 11:10 pm–1:10 am

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game publishes a report for the state.

Licenses and rules: Alaska Dept. of Fish & Game · fish-consumption advisories

About this spot

A Cook Inlet stream just south of Ninilchik with coho and steelhead, fished in the lower two miles from the Deep Creek State Recreation Area at the mouth.

Lower 2 miles: closed January 1–July 15 and from November 1; king salmon may not be kept in 2026. Steelhead are catch-and-release. Above the markers, no salmon fishing at all.

Nearby

Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Ninilchik River1 mi · AlaskaSteelhead, best today 4 pm to tomorrow 12 am
68Marginal
Kasilof River25 mi · AlaskaBest today 4 pm to tomorrow 12 am
68Marginal
Homer / Kachemak Bay31 mi · AlaskaBest today 4 pm to tomorrow 12 pmSmall Craft Advisory
61Marginal
Kenai River (Soldotna)38 mi · AlaskaBest today 4 pm to tomorrow 6 am
80Worth the trip

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Deep Creek (Ninilchik)?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Deep Creek (Ninilchik) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Deep Creek (Ninilchik)?

Deep Creek (Ninilchik) is listed on this site for 4 commonly-targeted species: Coho Salmon, Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Dolly Varden. 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 Deep Creek (Ninilchik)?

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 Deep Creek (Ninilchik) 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 Deep Creek (Ninilchik) have?

Deep Creek (Ninilchik) has shoreline / wading access. There is no pier or boat ramp at this location. Lower 2 miles: closed January 1–July 15 and from November 1; king salmon may not be kept in 2026. Steelhead are catch-and-release. Above the markers, no salmon fishing at all.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Deep Creek (Ninilchik)?

state agency regulations apply at Deep Creek (Ninilchik). 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 Deep Creek (Ninilchik) tidal water?

No. Deep Creek (Ninilchik) is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.