Area Sport Fishing Reports
Yakutat

July 9, 2026

Freshwaters

Sockeye Salmon

There's alot to discuss about sockeye fishing on the Situk. First, the run is not as big as its been over the last 5 years. The current weir count is ~23k sockeye salmon. This projects out to a final weir count of ~51k sockeye using historical run timing. We expect to achieve the escapement goal of 30-70k sockeye, but it is looking like a much lower escapement compared to previous years. This means there are less sockeye in the river to catch compared to previous years making it a little more difficult to achieve daily bag limits. The daily bag limit for sockeye will remain at 3 per day for the foreseeable future.

Second, due to very low king salmon numbers, the section of river between the weir down to the Rodeo Hole will be closed to all sportfishing starting Saturday, July 11th through Saturday, August 15th. This reduces the area below the weir to sportfishing possibly leading to crowded conditions. Anglers are reminded that the entire Situk River drainage is closed to sport fishing for king salmon. King salmon may not be targeted, and any incidentally caught king salmon may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

Finally, staff conducted a survey of sockeye near 9-mile bridge and saw good numbers of fish in that section of river. Traditionally most anglers focus their efforts for sockeye salmon in the lower section. If foot anglers are looking to avoid crowds, they should consider fishing above and below 9-mile Bridge as a viable option. Anglers are advised that sport fishing is closed from 50 yards above to 50 yards below the 9-mile Bridge through August 15th.

Dolly Varden

Dolly Varden fishing should be good in the Situk River and in other streams in the Yakutat Management Area.

Saltwaters

King Salmon

Sportfishing for king salmon is open in Yakutat area marine waters. Fishing continues to be slow, with most fish being caught out front. Try fishing Ocean Cape, Point Munoz, and Monti Bay. Marine weather looks good for the next week so fishing conditions will be good. Most anglers troll spoons or herring behind a flasher. Please check the department website below for the recent emergency order and advisory annoucements regarding 2026 regional king salmon regulations for Southeast Alaska.

Halibut

Halibut fishing has slowed some. Smaller fish continue to be brought in over the last couple of weeks with a few nice ones being reported. The weather has been good, and getting out front should continue to be doable. Dogfish are present however and will make finding halibut a little more difficult. Most anglers soak herring or salmon heads/fins/guts on a circle-hook, or try using lead-head jigs with big rubber tails tipped with herring chunks to switch it up.

Lingcod

Fishing for lingcod in Yakutat continues to be very good, similar to recent years. Try jigging lead-head jigs with brightly colored tails tipped with herring over rocky pinnacles or outcroppings. Please check the department website for the recent emergency order and advisory annoucements regarding changes to lingcod regulations in the Yakutat management area.

Rockfish

Fishing for rockfish is excellent in the Yakutat area. Try fishing smaller jigs or darts tipped with chunks of herring near pinnacles or shallow (30-70 feet) rocky structures or shelfs. Please check the department website for the recent emergency orders and advisory annoucements regarding changes to rockfish regulations in 2026 for Southeast Alaska.

For further information, please get in touch with the Yakutat Area sport fish management biologist Jason Pawluk at (907) 465-4224.

Emergency orders can be found on our website.

Check out the new gofishak interactive map to discover popular fishing locations and information on species run timing, fishing gear selections, and boat and angler access tips!