Area Sport Fishing Reports
Sitka
Archived Sport Fishing Report
January 08, 2019
Saltwater Fisheries:
King Salmon
Fishing is expected to be slow for king salmon during the winter months. News releases and emergency orders for 2019 king salmon restrictions have been recently released for select areas of SE Alaska and can be found on this report page through a link in the upper right hand corner.
Halibut
Halibut fishing is closed from January 1st through January 31st.
Lingcod
Lingcod fishing is closed from December 1st through May 15th.
Rockfish
Fishing for rockfish is good. 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 Regulations Summary or visit your local ADF&G office to see examples of rockfish groupings (pelagic vs. nonpelagic).
Shellfish
Pot fishing for shrimp and Dungeness crab has been average to good this winter. Catch rates should be decent throughout the winter months. Shellfish regulations can be found on pgs. 33-36 of the Southeast Alaska Sport Fish Regulations Summary or visit your local ADF&G office.
NEW!
It's a new year and a 2019 sport fishing license is required to participate in all sport and personal use fisheries. Licenses can be obtained at the Fish and Game online store and printed at home. Or you can pick them up at select vendors across Alaska. New 2019 Southeast Alaska Sport Fish Regulations Summary books will be available in the coming weeks at select vendors around Sitka, and are currently available online at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website.
NEW!
Shrimp fishers must obtain a new no-cost 2019 SE shrimp permit in advance of shrimping and record their harvest on the paper permit. These permits are available at the Department of Fish and Game online store and can be printed at home. Or you can pick them up at your local Fish and Game office. The shrimp harvest, location, and number of pots pulled must be recorded each day, and the permit must be returned to ADF&G or reported online at the end of the year. 2018 SE shrimp permits are now being returned and must be submitted by January 15th.
NEW!
Check out the Sitka interactive map to discover popular fishing locations and information on species run timing, fishing gear selections, and boat and angler access tips thru Sport Fish gofishak.
For further information, please feel free to contact the Sitka area Sport Fish management staff at (907) 747-5355.