Area Sport Fishing Reports
Petersburg

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 29, 2019

King Salmon

Beginning June 1, opportunity to harvest king salmon in the Blind Slough/Wrangell Narrows and Anita Bay terminal harvest areas will open with the following bag and possession limits.

Blind Slough/Wrangell Narrows:

  • Bag and possession limit (residents and nonresidents) of two king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length, and two king salmon less than 28 inches in length;
  • King salmon caught by nonresidents in this area do not count toward the nonresident annual limit.

Anita Bay:

  • Bag and possession limit (residents and nonresidents) of one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length.
  • Nonresidents have an annual limit of three king salmon 28 inches or greater in length until June 30 when the annual limit for nonresidents is reduced to one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length.

These regulations are being established to provide opportunity to harvest Alaska hatchery produced king salmon in the terminal areas where they will be returning. The City Creek release site will open to the harvest of king salmon beginning June 15. The later opening date for City Creek reduces the potential interception of Stikine River and other Southeast Alaska wild stock king salmon transiting through the area. By June 15 approximately 75% of the Stikine River king salmon run has migrated past the City Creek area.

For detailed information including maps of these areas and boundary descriptions, please see the news release issued May 23, 2019 which is posted at all harbor entrance ramps and available on the ADF&G website.

Dolly Varden and Trout

Dolly Varden and trout can be targeted year-round but are most active in the spring months. Now is a great time to target these species for fast paced action.

Try fishing around log jams, cut banks, and eddie lines for these aggressive species. Dolly Varden and coastal cutthroat can also be found in nearshore areas as they cruise marine shorelines often feeding on juvenile salmon this time of year. The shoreline at Eagles Roost Park is a great location for shoreline fishing for Dolly Varden.

Steelhead

The spring steelhead fishing season is coming to a close. A few steelhead can still be found in area streams, but numbers are quickly dwindling. Overall the 2019 season was a strong year with above average abundance, and strong catch rates.

Halibut

Halibut catch rates are beginning to pick up with several anglers reporting successful fishing trips over the Memorial Day weekend. Halibut catch rates typically increase as we progress into the summer.

Rockfish

Rockfish are available year-round and fishing is generally good this time of year. Bag and possession limits for the waters in the Petersburg and Wrangell area are:

Pelagic rockfish:

  • Bag limit of five and possession limit of 10 (residents and nonresidents), no size limits and no annual limit.

Nonpelagic rockfish:

  • Bag and possession limit (residents and nonresidents) of one, no size limit.
  • Nonresidents have an annual limit of one yelloweye rockfish.

Anglers are encouraged to use a rockfish release device whenever releasing 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. Anglers are reminded that beginning January 1, 2020 all anglers will be required to carry and use a rockfish release device whenever releasing rockfish.

NEW-interactive fishing resource

Check out the Petersburg/Wrangell interactive map to discover popular fishing locations and information on species run timing, fishing gear selections, and boat and angler access tips thru the Sport Fish gofishak application.

Archives

Petersburg Area Archives for:
Oct 16, 2019 Sep 26, 2019 Sep 05, 2019 Aug 16, 2019 Jul 25, 2019 Jul 16, 2019 Jul 01, 2019 Jun 14, 2019
May 29, 2019 May 03, 2019

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