Area Sport Fishing Reports
Petersburg
Archived Sport Fishing Report
April 03, 2014
April 3, 2014
At this time of year there are no updates on sport catch rates until spring when the local creel survey program resumes in late April. Without this updated information the fishing reports will be updated either as the basic fishing opportunities change or there is local news or news releases on regulation changes that would interest anglers. You can still find information on updated regulation changes at the local Fish and Game offices in Petersburg and Wrangell, on the Fish and Game website, as well as posted on bulletin boards in and around the harbors in these towns.
Marine Summary: Area fishing in marine waters at this time will be pickin up with king salmon in marine waters as early prespawning kings start their return to mainland rivers systems like the Stikine and Taku. King salmon are caught in Sumner Strait locations between South Mitkof and Wrangell, and Frederick Sound from Cape Fanshaw south past Petersburg to the mouth of the Stikine River. Standard fishing gear and bait for kings is called for with rigged herring being most popular. It is still possible to catch a halibut that may strike when mooching for king salmon, but most have moved for the winter months into very deep waters and have moved seaward. However, fishing for them later in June typically improves as halibut migrate back into local areas from offshore and deep areas. Shoreline fishing for Dolly Varden should be ramping up with the arrival of pink salmon fry in tidal estuaries and around the boat harbors and shorelines. Spinners, buzz-bombs, small spoons, and attractor flies and those looking like salmon fry (alevin patterns) are good bets.
The big news at this time has been the release of 2014 King salmon regulations for Southeast Alaska region. A coastwide abundance shift upwards will mean significant changes in bag and possession limits, and a News Release was just issued this week outlining the changes. So far its been big smiles-
Freshwater summary: There will be improving conditions for cutthroat trout and dollies that have entered freshwater for overwintering, and will be more active with spring warming. Fishing in freshwater and some marine shoreline areas will continue to improve for Dollies with additions of more pink salmon fry, and eventual spring runs of steelhead. Additionally, access by roads and trail may be far better with very low snowpack and the Forest roads can be used to access a number of area lakes, streams, and some shoreline areas.
Upcoming king- or Chinook salmon season local outlook:
Petersburg/Wrangell Area King salmon: At present, the Stikine RIver Chinook preseason forecast has indicated an decreased number of chinook returning for the spring and early summer period through our local waters. Given this level or strength of adult return does not project an allowable catch for Stikine River Chinook, liberalized regulations for chinook or king salmon will not occur at the beginning of the season. If later inseason run strength is found to be substantially stronger, and indicates a US allowable catch exists with Stikine River Chinook, regulations may be liberalized in accordance with the existing management plans for some of the Petersburg and Wrangell Marine waters. That information would be given in news releases by emergency order.
2014 Blind Slough and Wrangell Narrows king salmon outlook:
Using the information gathered from all fisheries, draft forecast or projections of the returning adult king salmon to the Wrangell Narrows and Crystal Lake Hatchery are projecting some improvement in 2014. This includes a projected adult return of ~2,400 kings to the Terminal Harvest Area, which is well below what many past anglers have been accustom to, and low enough where our management plan is quite restrictive, but will likely include a freshwater fishery at the onset of the June 1 through July 31 fishery. The regulations will be announced in late May through News Release/ Emergency Order and posted on Fish and Games website as well as posted in the normal locations in harbors, at boat ramps, at Blind Slough access points, Papke's Landing, as well as at Fish and Game.
Some additional reminders: Anglers need to use the 2014 regulations for king salmon that were recently announced (see April 1st , 2014 News Release). This is posted at area boat launch sites and harbor access ramps, and is available online and at ADFG offices.
- Nonresidents are reminded 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.
- Please don’t forget to purchase your 2013 king salmon stamp if you are interested in fishing for king salmon.
- Fishing demands that boating anglers pay particular attention to the weather conditions and dress for the conditions that are possible. Always remember that when you go out the weather can change quickly and the ride home may be nothing like the ride out- make good decisions...Places like the Greys Pass area can become deadly for smaller boats when winds switch and pour out of the Stikine River valley. This happens during fair weather days.
- Be reminded that the use of bait in most area freshwaters is prohibited in area freshwaters, and use of bait will reopen in September 15, and run until November 15. Blind Slough is one area exception. Fishing with bait can occur between June 1st and November 15, so it is now closed to the use of bait.
- If you do catch a small (sublegal) feeder king salmon, or catch a king salmon without having a king salmon stamp, 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.
- The Grey’s Passage area near the mouth of the Stikine River that includes Greys Pass and Banana Point remains open year round for sport fishing.
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.