Area Sport Fishing Reports
Petersburg

Archived Sport Fishing Report

October 06, 2017

King Salmon

Sport fishing for king salmon has reopened in Southeast Alaska marine waters as of October 1, 2017. The following regulations are now in effect through March 31, 2018.

Residents:

• Bag and possession limit is two king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.
• Residents may use two rods when fishing for king salmon from October 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018. Residents using two rods may only retain king salmon.

Nonresidents:

• Bag and possession limit is one king salmon greater than 28 inches in length.
• The nonresident annual limit is three king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. Nonresidents shall immediately record, in ink, all king salmon harvested either on the back of their sport fishing license or on a nontransferable harvest record.

Coho Salmon

Coho salmon catch rates have fallen in the marine fishery while opportunity for coho fishing is still present in freshwater. Hatchery coho returns to Blind Slough are strong. Typically, freshwater fishing for coho salmon peaks in mid-September and opportunity will continue through October for the majority of systems in the area.

Rockfish

Nonpelagic rockfish regulations for Southeast Alaska Inside waters, including the Petersburg and Wrangell management area:

• The nonpelagic rockfish bag and possession limit is one fish.
• Nonresident anglers have an annual limit of one yelloweye.
• All nonpelagic rockfish must be retained until the bag limit is reached.

There is no closed season for nonpelagic rockfish in the Southeast Alaska Inside waters. Anglers are encouraged to use a rockfish release device whenever releasing nonpelagic rockfish. Please see the “Southeast Alaska Sport Fish Regulation Summary” or visit your local ADF&G office to see examples of rockfish release devices and learn about their use.

Dolly Varden, Rainbow trout and Cutthroat 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 return to freshwater to spawn these species can often be found feeding on loose salmon eggs. Dolly Varden can also be an exciting catch in the nearshore marine waters. When fishing for trout be sure to check the "2017 Southeast Alaska Sport Fish Regulation Summary" (available anywhere fishing licenses are sold) 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

With the conclusion of the marine creel survey for the season, inseason halibut catch rates are no longer being collected in the sport fishery but halibut can still be caught in area waters. Halibut catch rates typically increase throughout the summer as these fish migrate into the area and remain stable throughout the early fall before declining as winter approaches.