Alaska Fishing Report 7-31-10

[Saltwater Fishing]

Prince of Wales Island Area Fishing Report

Current Sport Fishing Report

Harvest/Effort Statistics
July 29, 2010




King salmon fishing continues to make its annual slow down for this time of year for anglers fishing off the west coast of Prince of Wales Island. Last week anglers fishing out of Craig and Klawock averaged 47 hours of fishing effort per harvested king salmon. The 5-year average of Chinook harvested per hour of fishing effort is 44 hours/fish for this same time period. Coho salmon are taking up the slack for the declining king catches, with anglers averaging 5 hours of effort per harvested fish, a little slower than the previous week and slower than the 5-year average of for this same time period of 2 hours/fish. Coho fishing usually peaks in August, and indications are that there are some fish on the way as coho catches off shore by commercial trollers has been good the last few days.

Anglers targeting halibut averaged 3 hours of effort per fish, right at the five year average for this same time period. A few pink and chum salmon are also starting to show up in the harvest and these numbers will build in the coming weeks. Anglers are reminded to check ADF&G's main web page for in-season regulation changes for king salmon, lingcod and rockfish, and the prohibition on filleting of king, coho and lingcod until returning to port under the emergency order icon. Inquires about in-season changes can also be addressed by calling the POW office at (907) 826-2498 or dropping by the office in Craig.

The freshwater sport fishery on Prince of Wales Island currently is targeting trout, summer coho, and pink salmon. Pink numbers are still low in most streams but should build in the coming weeks. A few chums are also showing up in local streams. Coho fishing has been good at the outlet of Neck Lake and this run should continue into August. Anglers looking for trout fishing on Prince of Wales Island should consider Control, Klawock, Eagle, Red Bay, and No Name Lake as well as the Thorne River drainage just to name a few. Please check the regulation booklet for limits and other regulations that apply to these areas.


http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/FishingReports/

[Saltwater Fishing]

Tanana Area Fishing Report


July 29, 2010

Fishing – Lakes

Quartz Lake is producing high catch rates of small rainbow trout. Fish your lures deepto target the larger fish.

The Minto Lakes are low and some sloughs are full of weeds (typical conditions for this time of year), but northern pike fishing is reportedly good.

Northern Pike season is open on area lakes however, remember that fishing for Northern pike, including catch & release fishing, on Harding Lake is not permitted.

Rivers & Other Flowing Water
The Chena River remains closed to all king salmon fishing (including catch and release) through the 2010 season. Any king salmon caught incidentally may not be removed from the water and must be immediately released.

King salmon fishing is reported to be good to fair on the Salcha River with people picking up small kings downriver of the Richardson Highway Bridge. Fishing appears to be better in the evenings. The sonar counts cumulative number on July 27th for the Salcha River was 4,398 king salmon. Remember, the Salcha River is closed to salmon fishing 2 ½ miles upstream of the Richardson Highway Bridge.

Most tributaries of the Tanana River remain clear and very fishable for Arctic grayling, even with the high rainfall.

Sheefish are still being picked up at the mouths of some Tanana River tributaries.

ADF&G Sponsored Events
The Becoming an Outdoors-Woman weekend will be held at Lost Lake Scout Camp on August 6, 7, 8, this year, and is still open for registration! If you or someone you know is interested in attending, please call 459-7346

Tip of the week
Your bow line should not be longer than your boat to prevent the line from getting caught in your jet or prop.

Fishing quote
Most of the world is covered by water. A fisherman's job is simple: Pick out the best parts.
Charles Waterman

In Closing

If you have any questions about fishing in Alaska, please call our sport fish information line at 459-7228 and we will be happy to help you.

[Saltwater Fishing]

Region 1-Southeast News Release

ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Denby S. Lloyd, Commissioner

DIVISION OF SPORT FISH
Charles O. Swanton, Director
Contact:
Richard Chapell
Area Management Biologist
Phone: 907-766-3638

July 29, 2010

CHILKOOT RIVER AND LAKE SOCKEYE SALMON BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS INCREASED
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced today that the sport bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon in the Chilkoot River and Lake will be increased to six fish effective 12:01 a.m., Friday, July 30, 2010.

The run of sockeye salmon to the Chilkoot Lake and River is projected to be within the escapement goal range (38,000-76,000 fish through the Chilkoot River weir). By July 27th, 34,261 sockeye salmon had been counted through the Chilkoot River weir. On average, 41% of the run has passed through the weir by this date. Therefore, restrictions to increase sockeye salmon escapement to this drainage are no longer needed.

Bag limits for species, other than sockeye salmon, in the Chilkoot River drainage remain unchanged. The department reminds anglers that all streams flowing into Chilkoot Lake are closed to sport fishing for salmon.

If you need further information concerning this news release call (907) 766-2625 for recorded sport fishing information or call the Division of Sport Fish office in Haines at (907) 766-3638.

Region 2-Southcentral News Release


ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Denby S. Lloyd, Commissioner

DIVISION OF SPORT FISH
Charles O. Swanton, Director
Contact:
Donn Tracy
Kodiak Area Fisheries Management Biologist
Phone: (907) 486-1880

July 29, 2010

CHIGNIK RIVER KING SALMON BAG LIMIT INCREASED
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is increasing the Chignik River drainage king salmon bag and possession limit to five fish per day 20 inches or greater in length, effective Friday, July 30. In addition, king salmon do not need to be entered on a harvest record and do not count against the annual limit.

The biological escapement goal (BEG) for Chignik River king salmon is 1,700 – 2,700 fish. The department projects that with the current weir count of more than 3,000 the liberalized bag limit will not decrease the spawning escapement below the goal.

Anglers are reminded that the bag and possession limit for king salmon less than 20 inches in length remains 10 fish. For more information, contact the Division of Sport Fish office in Kodiak at (907) 486-1880.


http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/EONR/