Area Sport Fishing Reports
Petersburg

Archived Sport Fishing Report

October 20, 2015

With the days getting shorter and snow creeping down the mountainside, it's true, the summer fishing season is now behind us. Although just because the seasons are changing doesn't mean it is time to hang up the fishing rod.

This will be the last fishing report for the 2015 season but reports will resume in the spring of 2016. Anglers are reminded that the 2015 Southeast Alaska Fishing Regulation Summary is in effect until the 2016 summary is issued in the spring of 2016.

Fall and Winter Fishing Opportunities

Winter King Salmon

King salmon can be found in marine waters of the Petersburg/Wrangell area throughout the winter.    Catch rates are much slower than summer fishing but a fresh winter king salmon is a special reward during the winter months.  When fishing for king salmon anywhere in the marine waters of the Petersburg/Wrangell management area, the regulations described in the news release "Revised Southeast Alaska Regional King Salmon Sport Fishing Regulations for 2015" are in effect. Please see the "Emergency Orders" link at the bottom of this page for this announcement.

Anglers are reminded that Alaska resident anglers may use two rods when fishing for king salmon this winter between October 1, 2015 and March 31, 2016. When using two rods anglers may only retain king salmon.

Coho Salmon

Coho salmon will be present in freshwater until the end of October and occasionally later depending on the unique timing of each system. As the run progresses, expect to find coho displaying their spawning colors.  Try walking a coho stream and casting in deep pools, cut banks, or the slack water behind rocks and woody structure. Blind Slough near Petersburg is open to fishing for coho salmon however the tributaries leading into Blind Slough (including Manmade hole) are closed to salmon fishing.

Dolly Varden, Rainbow trout and Cuthroat trout

There are several great locations for fishing trout and Dolly Varden both on and off the road system in the Petersburg/Wrangell area. As salmon move into freshwaters to spawn fishing can be excellent. Loose eggs dropped by salmon are eagerly snatched up by trout and Dolly Varden. As winter approaches searun cutthroat trout will move into freshwaters to overwinter.  Fall months prior to lakes freezing can be an excellent time to target these beauties.  Ice fishing can be a great winter fishing activity on area lakes whenever ice conditions are good.

 Anglers commonly use spinning rods with small spinners or lead head jigs and fly rods with beads or egg patterns. When fishing for trout be sure to check the "2015 Southeast Alaska Sport Fish Regulation Summary" to understand regulations for the waterbody you intend to fish. Regulations regarding size limits, bag limits and the use of bait can vary by waterbody.

Halibut

Halibut can be found in the area throughout the winter but expect slower catch rates.  Anglers are reminded that sport fishing for Halibut is closed between January 1-January 31. Halibut catch rates typically increase throughout the summer as these fish migrate into the area and remain stable throughout the early fall followed by a decline as halibut move towards off shore spawning grounds.