As of November 2, 2024, the Bristol Bay fishing season has already concluded, but here’s a retrospective look at how the season wrapped up and some general insights for future reference.

### Weather and Tides
During the peak fishing season, which typically occurs in June and July, Bristol Bay experiences long days with the sun rising around 5:00 AM and setting around 11:00 PM. The weather can be quite variable, with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to mid-60s Fahrenheit. For the tides, Bristol Bay has a mixed tidal regime, but the tidal cycles are generally not as critical for fishing here as they are in other locations.

### Fish Activity
The 2024 Bristol Bay sockeye salmon run was notably strong, despite initial forecasts. The actual inshore run of 51.6 million sockeye salmon was 36% above the preseason forecast of 37.9 million fish.

### Catch Numbers
By the end of the season, the commercial harvest of sockeye salmon was 31.6 million, which was 26% above the preseason forecast. Other species caught included 6,895 Chinook, 506,541 chum, 28,804 coho, and 76,199 pink salmon.

### Best Lures and Bait
For sockeye salmon, the most effective lures and bait often include flies such as the Blue Fox Vibrax, spin-n-glos, and small spoons. Bait like herring or anchovies can also be effective, especially when used with a mooching rig.

### Hot Spots
- **Naknek/Kvichak District**: Known for its high sockeye salmon returns, this district was one of the most productive areas this season.
- **Nushagak District**: This area also saw significant sockeye salmon catches and is a key spot for both commercial and sport fishing.
- **Ugashik District**: With a forecasted inshore run of about 4.6 million sockeye salmon, this district was another hotspot for fishing activity.

### Additional Notes
The fish this season were notably smaller, with the average sockeye salmon weight being the smallest on record at 4.53 pounds. This smaller size, combined with the high number of younger fish, made for an interesting and challenging season for fishermen. Despite the challenges, the season saw many districts meeting or exceeding their escapement goals, ensuring a healthy fish population for future years.