Yakutat region

Freshwater Angling

Situk River- The silvers are spread out all up and down the river now although almost no fresh fish are above the lower 1/3rd of the river. Silver angling is great at high tides and in the early mornings.

The silver salmon limit on the Situk River has been raised to 4 fish. More than 11,000 fish are in the lower river sections.

Dolly Varden fishing is also great. Pink salmon spawn is creating huge amounts of food for the dolly schools this year.

Rain on the weekend of 9-24 is finally likely to push some fish up river in the following days. Flows are at all time lows ~ 1/10th of normal for this time of season. River and stream temperatures remain slightly cooler than normal.

The Lost River and other Yakutat area streams –

Silver salmon limits remain at 2 fish on Lost River and all other Yakutat road system streams and anglers may not possess more than 2 silver salmon while fishing those waters.

Lost River drainage has good fishing on the high tides especially near Tawah Creek mouth.

All streams are still low but recent rains should bring the streams up soon. Silvers are stacked up in the lower sections of all streams.
Marine Angling

Marine angling is starting to wind down with the encroaching fall season.

Late summer weather was good and halibut angling continued as good to fair well into September.

Silver trolling is still fair but spotty now as most fish move into spawning streams.


Haines Area

Coho (silver) salmon


Coho salmon are off to a slow start in the Chilkat River. A total of 838 coho salmon have been counted by the Chilkat River fish wheels through September 26, which is only 47% of the average count for this date. Early inseason data indicate that the 2010 Chilkat River coho salmon run will be small, but will meet the minimum escapement goal.

A total of 90 coho salmon (about average) were counted through the Chilkoot River weir through September 14, when the weir was removed for the winter.
The Chilkat River water is clearing up, and the water is relatively low. Coho salmon fishing usually improves when the water drops and clears in early October. Check the recent Chilkat River water level.
Chilkoot River pink and sockeye salmon

The season total Chilkoot River weir count of 30,830 pink salmon through September 14 was 79% of the long-term average for that project.

A total of 71,659 sockeye salmon were through the Chilkoot River weir through September 14, which is 4% above the long-term average. The escapement count was near the upper end of the 38,000 to 76,000 fish goal range. The sockeye salmon sport bag and possession limit for Chilkoot River and Chilkoot Lake will be 6 fish for the remainder of the year.
Chilkat River pink and sockeye salmon


The number of sockeye salmon caught (3,468 fish through September 27) in the Chilkat River fish wheels is 74% of average for this time of year. Sockeye can sometimes be caught in clear water tributaries of the Chilkat River.

The pink salmon run is finished. A total of 1,967 fish were counted through September 27, which is 51% of the long-term average, and 26% of the very high counts in 2009. Some pinks can be still caught in clear water tributaries of the Chilkat River.
Char and Trout

Dolly Varden char and cutthroat trout can be found in deep Haines area lakes (Chilkat Lake, Mosquito Lake, and Chilkoot Lake), in clear water tributaries to the Chilkat River, and in the Chilkoot River. Anglers should be aware of that the use of bait is prohibited when fishing in Chilkat Lake and Mosquito Lake or in their tributary and outlet streams. Use the fish regulation link below for details.
Sea-run Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout are returning to the Chilkat and Chilkoot rivers after a summer of feeding in near-shore salt waters.

Upper and Lower Dewey Lakes, accessible by hiking above Skagway, hold isolated populations of eastern brook trout.
King salmon

ADF&G's Skagway creel survey ended on Labor Day weekend. Skagway anglers in Taiya Inlet were catching feeder kings, some smaller and some larger than the 28-inch minimum legal length for retention.

2010 king salmon regulations for Southeast Alaska salt water, including the Haines and Skagway area are:
•Resident anglers may keep two king salmon 28 inches or more in length per day and in possession with no annual limit;
•Non-Alaska resident anglers may keep one king salmon 28 inches or more in length per day and in possession, with an annual limit of three king salmon.

Because of a smaller than expected king salmon run in Pullen Creek, only half of the broodstock goal was collected. DIPAC released 250,000 king salmon smolt in Pullen Pond in Skagway in June. NSRAA released 80,000 king salmon smolt in Lutak Inlet, near Haines, in July.

Preliminary results from ADF&G's 2010 Chilkat River king salmon tagging study are that the inriver run was weak (1,600 large fish), and below the lower end of the inriver goal (1,850 to 3,600 large fish).

Juneau

Last week, coho harvest rates were again worse than average, taking 16-rod hours to harvest a coho. The prior year it took 14-rod hours and the five-year average was at 7-rod hours per fish. Hot spots last week were North Shelter, Funter Bay, and the Backside of Douglas.

Halibut fishing was also worse than average, taking 18-rod hours to harvest a fish. Last year it took 10-rod hours and the five-year average was at 13-rod hours per halibut. Not enough halibut were encountered to report hot spots this week.

Last week anglers were still encountering a few kings in the Juneau area taking 97 rod hours to harvest a king. Last year it took 238-rod hours and the five-year average was at 107-rod hours.

The 2010 sport fishing regulations for king salmon in Southeast Alaska and Yakutat will be effective April 1, 2010 and are as follows:

* Alaska residents: bag and possession limit of 2 king salmon 28" or greater in length; no annual limit
* Nonresident: bag and possession limit of 1king salmon 28" or greater in length with an annual limit of 3 king salmon 28" or greater in length.

The filleting and de-heading restriciton for lingcod, king and coho salmon, and non-pelagic rockfish ended September 12, 2010. The new news release will come out again in the Spring of 2011.

Please consult your sport fishing regulation booklet for further specifics on regulations and fisheries in the Juneau area. A complete list of new releases can be found on the State of Alaska Sport Fish website: http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/eonr/index.cfm , or your can call the Division of Sport Fish at (907) 465-5270.

Southeast Alaska Area

The sampled fishing effort last week ranged from 305 rod hours in Sitka to over 2,000 rod hours in Ketchikan. The coho salmon and halibut sport fisheries remain good to excellent at most ports, while the Chinook salmon fishery has slowed down.

Harvest rates for Chinook salmon last week ranged from 78 rod hours per fish in Sitka to 2,237 rod hours in Ketchikan, and were better than or equal to the five-year average at the ports of Sitka and Juneau.

All sampled ports encountered harvested halibut, with harvest rates ranging from 9 rod hours per harvested halibut in Ketchikan to 18 rod hours per halibut in Sitka and Juneau.

Coho salmon were encountered by our creel surveys at all three sampled ports last week, with harvest rates ranging from 3 rod hours per harvested coho salmon in Ketchikan to 16 rod hours in Juneau. The rates were equal to the five-year average at Ketchikan and poorer at Juneau and Sitka.

Harvested pin salmon were encountered by our creel survey personnel last week at Ketchikan (70 rod hours per harvested fish) and Sitka (233 rod hours).

The remaining three sport fish creel surveys (Ketchikan, Sitka and Juneau) of the 2010 season ended on Sunday, September 12. Many thanks goes to the angling public for providing sport fishery, effort, catch, and biological data to our creel survey personnel, which allows the department to monitor and help manage the sport fisheries of Southeast Alaska. The creel surveys will start up again in late April 2011.

Sitka region

Chinook Salmon
Anglers last week averaged 78 rod hours per king salmon harvested; this is 124 hours less than the 5-year average of 202 rod hours per Chinook salmon harvested during the second week of September. Chinooks are typically being harvested on the outer coast of Kruzof Island in areas such as The Cape, Point Mary, Cape Georgiana, and Point Ameila. Other areas such as Salisbury Sound, Vitskari, and Biorka Islands have also been very productive.
Charter operators and crew members may not retain king salmon while clients are on board the vessel.


Coho Salmon
Anglers last week averaged 9 rod hours per coho salmon harvested; this is 7 hours more than the 5 year average of 2 rod hour per coho salmon harvested during the second week of September.


Pink and Chum Salmon
Anglers last week averaged 233 rod hours per pink salmon harvested; this is 59 hours more than the 5 year average of 174 rod hours per pink salmon harvested during the second week of September. Anglers averaged 117 hours per chum salmon harvested; this is 15 hours more than the 5 year average of 102 rod hours per chum salmon harvested during the second week of September.

Halibut
Anglers last week averaged 18 rod hours per halibut harvested; this is 14 hours more than the 5-year average of 4 rod hours per halibut harvested during the second week of September.
Charter operators and crew members may not retain halibut while clients are on board the vessel.


Lingcod - OPEN

Northern Southeast and Yakutat Areas
Season: May 16 – June 15 and August 16 – November 30.
Limits:
Residents – 1 daily 2 in possession, no size limit.
Nonresidents – 1 daily, 1 in possession, size limit: 30 inches or greater in length and less than 35 inches in length, or 55 inches or greater in length. Annual limit of 2 fish, one of which is 30 to 35 inches in length, one of which is 55 inches or greater in length, nonresident anglers shall immediately record, in ink, all lingcod harvested either on the back of their sport fishing license or on a nontransferable harvest record.
Charter operators and crew members may not retain lingcod while clients are on board the vessel.

Rockfish
All non-pelagic rockfish caught must be retained until the daily bag limit is reached. The resident daily bag limit is three non-pelagic rockfish only one of which may be a yelloweye; possession limit of six fish, two of which may be yelloweye.

The nonresident daily bag limit is two non-pelagic rockfish only one of which may be a yelloweye; possession limit of four fish, two of which may be yelloweye; with an annual limit of two yelloweye rockfish. Nonresident anglers must immediately record all yelloweye rockfish harvested, in ink, either on the back of their sport fishing license, or on a nontransferable harvest record.
Charter operators and crew members may not retain non-pelagic rockfish while clients are on board the vessel.


Dolly Varden
Dolly Varden fishing along the roadside/shoreline is fair.

Trout
Local streams are producing fair catches of trout.

All anglers are responsible for knowing the current regulations for the area that they will be fishing. Regulation summaries and copies of the most recent regulatory changes are available at the Sitka ADF&G office and online.
For further information, please feel free to contact the Sitka Sport Fish office, at (907) 747-5355.




Petersburg Area Fishing Report


August 30th : local creel survey programs are reported here for king salmon, halibut, and coho salmon this past week. As local creel surveys ended this past weekend, this is the last week when we will have weekly updates to the fishing report. Anglers can still find information on updated regulation changes at the local Fish and Game offices in Petersburg and Wrangell, and on the Fish and Game website.

Halibut fishing in the area is strong, and should remain so until September. King salmon sport fishing in local marine waters has past in the area with exception of a few feeder kings that may be taken in the marine areas when fishing for coho. Anglers are catching fall-run coho in marine waters and fresh water areas and pink salmon now in fresh waters. Sea-run Dolly Varden may provide some action in and around estuaries and harbors, but also in and around spawning salmon in freshwaters. Anglers can find cutthroat trout fishing to remain fairly good- in both fresh and estuarine waters.

King and coho salmon catch rates:

Last week there were no surveyed anglers in Petersburg or Wrangell marine waters that harvested king salmon so there are no catch rate estimates with king salmon. Coho salmon fishing has not been as strong as expected in the local waters considering this is often the peak time to catch coho in area marine waters. Anglers in Petersburg fished 4 hours per coho, which was slower than the 5-year average for this time (3hrs). In Wrangell surveyed anglers fished 9 hours per coho as compared to the 5-year average for this time which is 4 hrs for this week. However, anglers fishing and taking coho in some of the local fresh waters are not surveyed.

Currently: Marine coho salmon anglers can target coho in local marine waters and freshwater anglers may find coho entering area streams. In marine waters coho are often seen as jumpers, but trolling herring or flashers with hoochies in and around tide rips is a good way to start. Specific marine locations fished at this time include Frederick Sound north of Petersburg and the tide rips in Sumner Strait south and west of Mitkof Island.

Blind Slough: Anglers should be aware that local salmon regulations changed beginning August 1st, and sportfishing has reopened in Blind Slough.
Anglers wishing to fish in Blind Slough waters are reminded that:
# Please be very careful with the dark and maturing king salmon that may be in the area since we will need them for broodstock to continue the stocking program after this year's very poor run.
# Snagging is not allowed in any part of Blind Slough
# bait is allowed in Blind Slough only (bait fishing not allowed in other fresh waters until Sept 16th.
# Regional regulations apply for cutthroat trout, coho, chum, and pink salmon (see page 10 in the 2010 regulation summary for Southeast Alaska)
# Regulations for king salmon are on page 16 (of the same) but please be careful with any king salmon you catch because the run has been very weak this year and they are needed as broodstock to sustain this run-

Other marine fishing:

Halibut: Petersburg creel sampling indicated anglers fished 4hours per halibut as compared to the five-year average estimated at 4 hours per halibut during this week of the season. In Wrangell creel sampling indicated anglers fished 15 hours per halibut as compared to the five-year average estimated at 9 hours per halibut during this week of the season. Anglers wishing to target Halibut may need to hunt around a bit more as halibut may be shifting locations at this time of year. Often halibut show up in shallower areas to feed on returning or dying pink salmon, but anglers can and should consider waters down to 300' plus. Fresh herring is always a good bet, however anglers may also use pink salmon for bait from fish they either purchase or harvest.Fishing will begin to slow down more as halibut begin to head into deeper waters as part of their seaward migration.

Anglers interested in bottom fishing might also have some luck with rockfish, which are found along steep rock ledges located along our shorelines. Although anglers in the Petersburg and Wrangell areas rarely target rockfish and lingcod, there are new regulations to be aware of in SE Alaska. Anglers are currently encouraged to review the 2010 Southeast Alaska regulation summary as well as check for news releases for inseason changes to rockfish and other sport fishing regulations. Please see the emergency orders news release link above, and or refer to posted news releases located at harbors on covered walkways to docks in Petersburg and Wrangell.


Local King salmon reminders: Here are some additional reminders for those who might catch and keep king salmon:

* if you do catch a small (sublegal) feeder king salmon, please be careful to release the fish unharmed. It is best if the fish remains in the water, and is not netted, and the hook is eased out or line cut.
* Please don’t forget to purchase your 2010 king salmon stamp even if you are fishing late in the season- there are horror stories around of anglers coho fishing who then have to release beautiful feeder kings because they did not have their king salmon stamp!
* Nonresidents remember to record harvests of all species with annual or harvest limits on the back of your fishing license or harvest card, including species, date and the area.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Petersburg/Wrangell Area Sport Fish biologist Doug Fleming at 907-772-5231 or via email.


KETCHIKAN

Saltwater Fishing

Anglers last week averaged 2237 hours per king salmon. Last year it took 779 rod hours per king with a five-year average of 278 hours per fish.

Anglers last week averaged 3 hours per coho salmon. Last year it took 3 rod hours per coho with a five-year average of 3 hours per coho salmon.

Anglers last week averaged 70 hours per pink salmon. Last year it took 142 hours per pink salmon with a five-year average of 97 hours per pink salmon.

Anglers averaged one halibut for every 9 hours fished. Last year it took 10 rod hours per halibut with a five-year average of 8 hours per fish.

Freshwater Fishing
Dolly Varden fishing along the roadside/shoreline should continue to improve as water temperatures warm and Dolly Varden migrate from overwintering lakes. Lake outlets and streams that connect to the salt water are prime places to harvest these fish in the spring.
Steelhead runs are at their end with most fish returning to saltwater. However, anglers can still experience good cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing in freshwater.

***Reminder
All anglers are responsible for knowing the current regulations for the area that they will be fishing. Regulation handbooks and copies of the most current regulatory changes are available on this website and at the Ketchikan ADF&G office, (907) 225-2859.



KODIAK

Fresh waters
Salmon

• Extreme low water levels currently prevail in Kodiak streams, inhibiting angler success the silver salmon sport fishery. Any substantial precipitation in the coming week should increase the inriver abundance of silvers and greatly improve sport fishing. Currently, silver salmon fishing is reportedly fair at the Pasagshak and Saltery river drainages, and remains outstanding at Afognak River. The current Buskin River silver salmon weir count of just fewer than 1,600 is one of the lowest counts on record, but is likely due to extreme low water resulting from a lack of measurable precipitation within the last month along the Kodiak road system.
• Pink salmon fishing in road system streams has ended for the 2010 season.
• Salmon counting weirs are no longer in operation at other Kodiak streams besides Buskin River. Final 2010 weir counts can be found at on our website.
Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

• Dolly Varden are still abundant in fresh waters. September is an excellent time to target Dollies, although recent low water levels have also inhibited angler success for these fish. Currently, the Buskin, American and Olds rivers are good bets for inriver Dolly fishing.
Lake Fishing

• September is still an excellent time to fish rainbow trout in the stocked lakes along the Kodiak road zone. As autumn nears, start looking for rainbows in deeper waters. Be sure to check water temperatures, as most fish will be found near shore in warmer lakes, while deep water is a better bet in lakes with temperatures below 40°F.
• Landlocked silver salmon are currently available in Chiniak Lake near Chiniak village and at Southern Lake on Long Island. Check the land use policy before accessing these lakes, both of which are surrounded by private property owned by Leisnoi Inc.
Salt waters
Halibut

• Local halibut fishing has been excellent during the last week, with recent reports of anglers catching fish throughout Chiniak Bay.
Salmon

• Trolling for Chinook (king) salmon in Kodiak’s marine waters has become very popular in recent years. Kings can be fished successfully year-round, though fishing tends to be spotty and difficult to predict. Unfortunately, there are no recent reports from anglers trolling for king salmon.
• Reports on silver salmon trolling continue to be mixed. Good places to troll for silvers along the road system are Cape Chiniak, Buoy #4 and the 40-60 feet waters on both sides of Long Island. Kodiak silver salmon average about 10 pounds.
Other salt water fishing

• Black rockfish can be caught at depths of 10 fathoms or less near kelp beds along rock pinnacles and other natural or man made structures. Rockfish are also frequently caught from shore at locations such as the breakwater barrier shielding St. Paul Harbor.
• The Kodiak lingcod season opened on July 1.