As of November 15, the Bristol Bay fishing season has already concluded, but here’s a retrospective look at how the season wrapped up, along with some general insights for future reference.

### Weather and Tides
During the peak fishing season in July, the weather in Bristol Bay was quite variable. There were periods of high heat and then cooler days. For example, around mid-July, the area experienced a significant drop in catch numbers, indicating the tail end of the season, with temperatures fluctuating[2][3].

### Sunrise and Sunset
In mid-July, sunrise was around 5:30 AM, and sunset was around 10:30 PM. These long days are typical for the Alaskan summer.

### Fish Activity
The 2024 Bristol Bay sockeye salmon run was exceptionally strong, with a total inshore run of 51.6 million fish, 36% above the preseason forecast. The commercial harvest was 31.6 million sockeye salmon, and all escapement goals were met or exceeded[5].

### Catch and Types of Fish
By mid-July, the baywide catch had started to decline, signaling the end of the season. On one of the last busy days, the baywide catch was over 1 million fish, with the Naknek-Kvichak district bringing in the majority. The Nushagak district also had a significant catch, with set netters and drift boats contributing to the totals. Other species caught included Chinook, chum, coho, and pink salmon, although in much smaller numbers compared to sockeye[2][3].

### Best Lures and Bait
For sockeye salmon, which dominated the catch, the best lures often include small, brightly colored flies or spinners. In the Port Moller Test Fishery, small mesh nets caught a significant portion of the fish, indicating that smaller presentations can be effective. For other species like coho and chum, lures such as Clouser Minnows, Starlite Leeches, and Wild Things can be productive[2][4].

### Hot Spots
The Naknek-Kvichak district was one of the hottest spots, consistently producing high catch numbers throughout the season. The Nushagak district, particularly around the Nushagak River, was another area where fishermen had significant success. The Ugashik and Egegik districts also saw substantial catches, especially during the peak periods[2][3].

In summary, Bristol Bay's 2024 fishing season was marked by an abundant sockeye run, with the Naknek-Kvichak and Nushagak districts being key areas for fishermen. While the season has ended, these insights will be valuable for planning future fishing trips to this prolific fishery.