Area Sport Fishing Reports
Sitka
Archived Sport Fishing Report
June 04, 2018
Emergency Orders and Regulation Reminders
The 2018 Swan Lake Junior Trout Derby will be held on Saturday, June 9, at Swan Lake in Sitka. An emergency order will be issued prior to the derby to allow the use of bait and allow retention of any sized fish for just the day of Saturday, June 9, starting at 9am. The news release and emergency order can be viewed later in the week on the website listed in the below bullet-point.
Current News Releases for the Sitka Management area and Southeast Alaska:
Emergency Orders are in effect for the following Sitka fisheries:
King Salmon: regional Southeast Alaska sport fishing regulations for 2018 were released on April 3, 2018;
Lingcod: regional Southeast Alaska sport fishing regulations for 2018 were released on May 2, 2018;
No filleting or disfiguring of king salmon, lingocd, and non-pelagic rockfish released on April 18, 2018;
Hidden Falls: sport fishing for king salmon allowed in Hidden Falls THA released on April 30, 2018;
The 2018 Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary is currently available, and are currently available at Fish and Game offices and at many sport fishing license vendors:
Saltwater Fisheries:
King Salmon
King salmon fishing is in full swing and early indications are that fishing is very slow for this time of year. Bad weather during May hampered fishing effort in ideal locations causing for low catch rates. Fishing reports received during the recent two-weekend Sitka king salmon derby indicate tough fishing and difficulties reaching bag limits. Guide logbook data indicate similar low catch rates and the difficulty in achieving boat limits even with a one fish bag limit. Logbook data do however indicate catch rates have been improving slightly over the last week. King salmon fishing in most Sitka area waters should begin to peak in the next few weeks.
Halibut
Halibut fishing has been good recently with most guided anglers achieving their bag limits. Good halibut catches have been reported out at The Cape and off Biorka Island. Halibut fishing in most Sitka area waters should begin to pick up by mid to late-June.
Lingcod
Sport fishing for lingcod opened on May 16, 2018 in all Southeast Alaska waters. Fishing has been good for lingcod in many locations near pinnacles or ledges in the ocean floor.
Rockfish
Fishing for rockfish is good. Rockfish are available year-round, and fishing is generally good this time of year. 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.
Freshwater Fisheries:
Steelhead
The spring steelhead fishing season has peaked and is waning. Most adult steelhead have emigrated from streams back into the saltwater. A few streams still have steelhead present but will most likely be exiting the system soon. The next reasonable opportunity to target steelhead in Sitka area waters will be on a few select streams in late-fall.
Dolly Varden and Trout
Dolly Varden, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout can be targeted year-round but are most active in the spring months. Fishing is still very good for these species right now.
Fishing with lures (spinners, spoons, plugs) or flies that imitate juvenile pink salmon emigrating from local streams should produce. There are several great locations for trout and Dolly Varden fishing in the Sitka Area. On the road system the marine waters near the mouths of Starrigavin Creek, Indian River and Sawmill Creek should be productive. Most other stream mouths accessible by boat or plane should be good as well.
For further information, please feel free to contact the Sitka area sportfish management staff at (907) 747-5355.