Area Sport Fishing Reports
Sitka

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 31, 2018

Saltwater Fisheries:

King Salmon

King salmon fishing in the Sitka area improved slightly the last week of July. Based on preliminary logbook data for vessels, catch rates increased from an average of one king salmon every two trips in mid-July, up to one king salmon a trip the last week of July. Catch rates continue to be higher near Cape Edgecumbe and West Kruzof. Fishing is expected to be slow for king salmon for the foreseeable future.

Silver Salmon

Silver salmon fishing is excellent and has finally reached a point where most anglers are achieving bag limits over the last ten days of July. Since July 22nd catch rates improved from around two fish per angler up to around five fish per angler on average. The average catch per trip is 23 fish with an average of four anglers. Most fishing is occurring near Biorka Island and The Cape. Catch rates for silvers should continue to remain high from this point forward with peak catches occurring over the next month.

Pink Salmon

Pink salmon have arrived in mass near the mouths of streams near Sitka. Fish can be observed jumping near Indian River, Sawmill Creek, and Starrigavin Creek. Fishing is excellent! Snagging is allowed in salt water. Be aware of where the stream mouth markers are for each stream.

Halibut

Halibut fishing continues to be good with most guided anglers achieving their bag limits. Good halibut catches have been reported offshore near The Cape and West Kruzof Island. Halibut fishing in most Sitka area waters should peak through the fall months.

Lingcod

Fishing continues to be average for lingcod in the Sitka area. Try fishing locations near pinnacles or ledges in the ocean floor. Large lead jigs or rubber-tail jigs, baited or not, seem to work well.

Rockfish

Nonpelagic

Starting Wednesday August 1st through August 31st 2018, retention of non-pelagic rockfish is prohibited in Southeast Outside Waters by emergency order. Non-pelagic rockfish may not be retained and must be released immediately using a deep-water release device, releasing the fish at depth of capture or at least 100 feet. A deep-water release device must be onboard every vessel engaged in sport fishing in Southeast Outside Waters regardless of target species. Please see the news release describing this closure.

Pelagic

Fishing for pelagic rockfish continues to be excellent. Pelagic rockfish are available year-round, and fishing is generally good this time of year. Any type of shiny lure or bait will work. Please see p. 38 of the “Southeast Alaska Sport Fish Regulation Summary” or visit your local ADF&G office to see examples of rockfish groupings (pelagic vs. nonpelagic).

Freshwater Fisheries:

Sockeye Salmon

Sockeye salmon continue to move into freshwater streams in fishable numbers. Systems such as Redoubt Lake, Lake Eva, Sitkoh Creek, and Klag Creek should produce good opportunities for anglers to catch sockeyes in freshwaters. Best methods for catching include using small streamer flies with small weights and flipping from shore into swift current where the fish are moving upstream.

Pink Salmon

Pink salmon have yet to move into freshwater, but are positioned just outside the mouths of creeks near Sitka. Water levels remain very low. Fish most likely won’t move upstream until water levels rise with a rain event. Once they enter freshwater fishing should be good.

Dolly Varden and Trout

Dolly Varden, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout can be targeted year-round. Fishing is 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 freshwaters of Starrigavin Creek, Indian River and Sawmill Creek should be productive, while lakes such as Thimbleberry, Heart, and Beaver lakes offer unique fishing experiences. 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 Sport Fish management staff at (907) 747-5355.