Area Sport Fishing Reports
Petersburg

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 02, 2016

Fishing Opportunities
 

King Salmon

We are now in the heart of the saltwater king salmon fishing season.  Last week saw the conclusion of the Petersburg king salmon derby where the winning fish was 37.6lbs.  King salmon catch rates are expected to increase throughout May until peaking in late May- early June. However, king salmon can be encountered throughout the year in local mairine waters. The Wrangell king salmon derby is ongoing and continues until June 12th.

Inseason estimates of king salmon returning to the Stikine River are falling short of the preseason forecast.  This has prompted the department to remove the regulations which allowed increased opportunity for king salmon in district 8 (waters surrounding the mouth of the Stikine River) effective June 2, 2016.  The Southeast regional king salmon regulations announced on April 11, 2016 are now in effect in all marine waters in the Petersburg/Wrangell area except within the Wrangell Narrows/Blind Slough terminal area where regulations provide for additional sport fishing opportunity targeting king salmon returning to Crystal Lake hatchery.  Please see the link to emergency orders at the bottom of this page for detailed information including bag and possession limits.

King salmon have started to arrive in the freshwaters of Blind Slough and are present in the adjacent marine waters of Wrangell Narrows.  Expect king salmon numbers in the area to continue to increase throughout June and July as these fish return to the Crystal Lake Hatchery.  Anglers are reminded that special regulations apply for the Bind Slough/Wrangell Narrows terminal area. In addition to the news releases available in the link at the bottom of this page, signage has also been posted at the entrance to Blind River Rapids and at harbor signboards.  Please check these regulations often as inseason action is sometimes nescesary to manage this king salmon fishery. 

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. With the warming freshwater temperatures anglers often find these fish active and aggressive. Dolly Varden can also be an exciting catch in the nearshore marine waters as they cruise the coastline feeding on juvenile salmon and other fish species. When fishing for trout be sure to check the "2016 Southeast Alaska Sport Fish Regulation Summary"(available anywhere licenses are sold or on the ADF&G website) 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 are currently being caught in local waters. Halibut catch rates typically increase throughout the summer as these fish migrate into the area and then remain stable throughout the early fall.