Area Sport Fishing Reports
Sitka

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 13, 2020

An excellent resource for planning a trip to Sitka is the gofishak interactive map which provides information on fishing locations, species run timing, fishing gear and angler access.

Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing the current State of Alaska Health Mandates in effect. This includes practicing social distancing and wearing a face covering while sport or personal use fishing and when buying fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.

For further information, please feel free to contact the Sitka area sportfish management staff at (907) 747-5355.

Marine Fisheries:

Salmon

As of July 11th and until August 15th the daily bag and possession limit for King Salmon has been increased to 4 for Alaska residents. During this time non-residents are allowed two King salmon a day, with the annual limit increased to 6. All king salmon must be 28 inches or greater in length.

Despite being later into the season, King fishing has stayed very productive. Based on marine catch sampling from the previous week, king salmon were harvested primarily from Outer Kruzof Island, Salisbury Sound and Point Slocum.

Sockeye are beginning to school at the mouths of their native streams. Early indications suggest that the sockeye run region wide is either late, weak or both. These tricky fish seldom bite but be aware of sport and subsistence regulations as well as posted markers if you chose to try and snag them. Chum, pink, and coho salmon are also returning home and offshore fishing success for these has increased in the last week. Pinks haven’t returned to stream mouths yet but will in the near future. Fishing success for coho will only improve over the next several weeks. .

Halibut

Halibut fishing is good and will continue to pick up as pink and chum move closer to shore. Based on marine catch sampling from the previous week, most halibut were harvested off Cape Edgecumbe and in Salisbury Sound.

Lingcod

Sport fishing for lingcod has been average this season. Try fishing near pinnacles and structure with large lead/rubber or metal jigs.

Rockfish

In 2020 Demersal Shelf Rockfish fishing is closed. This subset of nonpelagic rockfish includes Yelloweye, Quillback, China, Tiger, Rosethorn, Copper, and Canary. Fishing for slope rockfish and pelagic species is still open year-round. The department has developed a guide to assist anglers in identifying species groupings at: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/home/pdfs/KeepDontKeepRockfish.pdf

As of 2020, anglers are required to use a rockfish release device to return rockfish that are not harvested to the depth of capture or 100 feet, whichever is shallower. 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.

Shellfish

Be sure to check your local fishing regulations to be aware of harvest limits and size requirements for shellfish. Be aware that certain types of shellfish in Southeast Alaska have been known to cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) which can be fatal.

Anglers shrimp fishing are required to obtain a free permit for sport, personal use and subsistence shrimp harvest for each calendar year. 2020 Southeast Shrimp Permits are available online at the ADF&G store or at your local ADF&G 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.

Freshwater Fisheries:

Dolly Varden and Rainbow/Cutthroat Trout

Dolly Varden and Rainbow/cutthroat trout can be targeted year-round and are actively feeding as the water warms up. Fishing is fair in fresh waters and near the mouths of streams. Dolly Varden, rainbow trout, and other resident species target pink and chum fry as they migrate and exit streams.

There are also several lakes on the Sitka Road System that contain rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout, as well as grayling and Dolly Varden see the interactive map for more details

Archives

Sitka Area Archives for:
Nov 04, 2020 Sep 09, 2020 Aug 24, 2020 Aug 05, 2020 Aug 03, 2020 Jul 13, 2020 Jul 09, 2020 Jun 22, 2020
Jun 15, 2020 Jun 08, 2020 May 14, 2020 Feb 18, 2020 Jan 06, 2020

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