Area Sport Fishing Reports
Petersburg

September 5, 2025

Salmon

The dry stretch of weather the area has seen over the past couple of weeks has reduced the water level in streams, making it challenging for coho to enter. Those coho already in the streams may be less eager to bite under such conditions. Often, a few days of rain will inspire the remaining coho in saltwater to make the charge upstream. Next week’s weather might help as it is calling for light showers, then turning to rain by Thursday. This could be a good weekend to fish from the boat before these fish head up the stream, where you might have a second chance at them from shore.

Regionally, king salmon retention is open for all anglers with a size limit of 28 inches or greater in length. Residents are allowed a bag and possession limit of one king salmon per day, while nonresidents’ limit is one king salmon per year.

Blind Slough is currently closed to king salmon retention, as is all freshwater in the area. Any king salmon caught must be immediately released.

Please see the Advisory Announcement on our website for maps and detailed information. Remember that a king salmon stamp is required whenever fishing for king salmon (including catch and release).

Halibut

Some halibut may continue to come into shallower water (~100 feet) to feed on salmon carcasses being pushed out of streams as they have been for weeks. As we progress into the fall, they should begin to drop into deeper water.

Check out some hot spots on our interactive map: gofishak: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/f2a04c8fd7c7480ebfd029f47f03d277

The Halibut sport fishery is open February 1 – December 31, 2025. Reminder: Filleting halibut: No person shall possess on board a vessel, including charter vessels and pleasure craft used for fishing, halibut that have been filleted, mutilated, or otherwise disfigured in any manner, except that each halibut may be cut into no more than 2 ventral pieces, 2 dorsal pieces, and 2 cheek pieces, with enough skin on each piece to identify whether the piece is from the light side or the dark side of the fish.

Lingcod

Residents are allowed a daily bag limit of 1; 2 in possession. Nonresidents are allowed a daily bag limit of 1; 1 in possession; 30-35 inches or 55 inches and longer. There is an annual limit of 2 fish, 1 of which is 30-35 inches in length, and 1 that is 55 inches or greater in length. A harvest record is required.

Rockfish

Remember that August 25^th was the final day for nonresidents to fish for Demersal Shelf Rockfish (species include yelloweye, quillback, tiger, China, canary, copper, and rosethorn rockfish). Alaska residents are still allowed 1 per day, 2 in possession, no size limit

Rockfish regulations have changed since the last fishing season. The retention of demersal shelf rockfish, including yelloweye, is open for residents of Alaska with a daily bag limit of 1; 2 in possession. Demersal shelf rockfish, including yelloweye, will be open for nonresidents from July 1 through August 25 with an annual limit of 1 fish. Slope Rockfish are open to residents and nonresidents with a daily bag limit of 1; 1 in possession. Pelagic Rockfish are open to residents and nonresidents with a daily bag limit of 3; 6 in possession. A helpful species identification guide has been published on the ADFG website. Anglers are reminded that a rockfish release device is now required to be used whenever releasing rockfish, and a rockfish release device must be onboard your vessel whenever sport fishing in marine waters.

Dolly Varden and Trout

Resident cutthroat and Dolly Varden can be found late into the fall in area streams and lakes accessible by the Petersburg and Wrangell road systems. Often overlooked by anglers, these smaller but hearty fish can offer plenty of action on lighter tackle.

Creel Samplers

Alaska Department of Fish and Game creel samplers were on the public docks since mid-May, approaching anglers to ask about their catch. Their interviews and biological samples help ensure a healthy fish stock for anglers. Last weekend marked the end of their season. I thank them for their work, as well as all of you who offered your time to be interviewed.