Harding Gateway

Saltwater
Bay

Harding Gateway

Saltwater
Bay

Sq. miles: 55
Boat Ramps: 0
Access Points: 0
Species: 7

Harding Gateway is the southern entrance to Resurrection Bay, a deep fjord on the southeast coast of Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. This marine passage lies between Cheval and Rugged Islands, connecting the protected inner waters of Resurrection Bay with the open Gulf of Alaska. The area is characterized by steep, high shores with precipitous slopes, deep water close to shore, and a complex coastline of islands, coves, and rocky points. As a transition zone between the bay and the open ocean, it experiences strong tidal currents and is subject to powerful williwaw winds. The region supports a rich marine ecosystem and is a renowned migratory corridor for marine mammals.

Alaska licenses and regulations6 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Harding Gateway and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Coho Salmon

Oncorhynchus kisutch

Copper Rockfish

Sebastes caurinus

Dolly Varden

Salvelinus malma

Lingcod

Ophiodon elongatus

Pacific Cod

Gadus macrocephalus

Pacific Halibut

Hippoglossus stenolepis

Pink Salmon

Oncorhynchus gorbuscha

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Harding Gateway. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Key areas include the waters around Seal Rocks, a group of rocky islets at the western approach marked by a light. The deep channels and drop-offs within Harding Gateway itself hold fish. Nearshore structures around Rugged Island, Cheval Island, and the rocky points lining the passage are excellent for rockfish and lingcod. The protected coves north of the gateway, such as Thumb Cove and Humpy Cove, offer productive fishing and anchorage, though they can be subject to strong williwaws in certain winds.

Know where you can legally fish on Harding Gateway

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Alaska licenses and regulations

Alaska Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

Learn more

Alaska Coastal & Inland Waters

A single Alaska sport fishing licence covers both freshwater and marine coastal waters under state jurisdiction, so no separate saltwater licence is needed. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game manages state waters and publishes region-specific regulations for areas including Southeast, Southcentral, Southwest, and Northern Alaska. When fishing in waters that fall under federal jurisdiction beyond the state boundary, federal rules apply instead.

Learn more

Alaska Federal Waters & Offshore Rules

Once you fish beyond state waters, NOAA Fisheries and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council set the rules. Federal regulations govern species such as tuna, sharks, swordfish, and billfish in those offshore waters. Check NOAA Fisheries for any federal permits or reporting requirements that apply to the species and gear you plan to use.

Learn more

Alaska Saltwater Fishing License

Alaska residents 18 and older and nonresidents 16 and older must have a sport fishing licence to fish in both fresh and marine waters. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game issues licences, and resident seniors 60 and older plus qualifying disabled veterans use a free ADF&G Identification Card instead. Resident anglers under 18 and nonresidents under 16 are exempt from the licence requirement, and a separate king salmon stamp is required for anyone targeting king salmon.

Learn more

Alaska Saltwater Size & Bag Limits

Size and bag limits apply per species and can shift throughout the year, and emergency orders can change them at any time. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game sets these rules for species including king salmon, silver salmon, halibut, rockfish, and lingcod. Check the current regulations for the region where you plan to fish before heading out, and always look for active emergency orders.

Learn more

Alaska Shellfish Closures & Advisories

Recreational shellfish harvesting in Alaska is subject to closures that can be issued at any time due to biotoxins, paralytic shellfish poisoning, or other public health concerns. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation monitors biotoxin levels and posts current closure and advisory information. Check those advisories before harvesting clams, oysters, crab, or other shellfish, as affected areas can change quickly and contaminated shellfish show no visible signs of toxicity.

Learn more

Take Harding Gateway with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Harding Gateway to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Harding Gateway to find where and when fish are biting for you.

Get the onWater Fish app

Free on iOS and Android

Tides, wind & water conditions (10 day forecast)

On open water, wind and tide matter as much as the weather. See the best times to fish Harding Gateway and check the marine forecast before you launch.

Loading tide predictions…