For those venturing out to fish in Bristol Bay, Alaska today, January 18, 2025, here’s what you need to know:

First off, let's look at the tides. At Port Moller, you can expect a high tide at 1:24 AM with a height of 7.69 feet, followed by a low tide at 7:30 AM with a height of 1.37 feet. The next high tide will be at 2:19 PM, reaching 10.92 feet, and the final low tide of the day will be at 8:51 PM with a height of 3.01 feet. These tidal changes can significantly impact fish activity, so plan your trips accordingly.

Weather-wise, it's cold, as you'd expect this time of year. Dress warmly, as temperatures remain chilly. Sunrise today is at 9:58 AM, and sunset will be at 5:47 PM.

While it's not the peak season for sockeye salmon, the preliminary forecast for the 2025 Bristol Bay sockeye run looks promising with an expected total of around 49.6 million fish. However, for now, sockeye salmon are not the primary target.

King salmon fishing is closed during this period, but you can still target other species like rainbow trout. Note that rainbow trout retention is closed from June 8 to October 31, so any caught must be released immediately.

For the species available, using unbaited, single-hook artificial lures or flies is recommended. These lures mimic the natural prey and are more likely to attract fish in the cold waters.

As for hot spots, consider the Wood River Drainage and the Ungalikthluk River Drainage. These areas are known for their fish activity, especially for rainbow trout. Just remember to follow the local regulations, such as using only unbaited, single-hook artificial lures.

Yesterday's catch was mostly rainbow trout, with some anglers reporting success near the river mouths where the waters are a bit warmer.

Stay warm, and good luck on the waters