Area Sport Fishing Reports
Yakutat

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 19, 2018

Sockeye Salmon

The Situk River sockeye run is off to a slow start this season. Very few sockeye have been seen moving through the weir so far, but small groups of fish in the lower river have provided some opportunity for anglers. 

King Salmon

Sport fishing for king salmon is open in Yakutat Area marine waters and while catch rates remain fairly low, kings are being caught regularly by sport anglers in inside waters along the islands and shorelines of Yakutat Bay.

The following regulations for king salmon fishing in saltwater are now in effect through May 3rd, 2019:

Residents:

• Bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.
• Residents may use two rods when fishing for king salmon from October 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019. Residents using two rods may only retain king salmon.

Nonresidents:

• Bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.
• From January 1 through June 30, 2018 the nonresident annual limit is three king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.
• From July 1 through December 31, 2018 the nonresident annual limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length, and any king salmon harvested January 1 through June 30 will apply to the one fish annual limit
• Nonresidents shall immediately record, in ink, all king salmon harvested either on the back of their sport fishing license or on a nontransferable harvest record.

Sport fishing for king salmon is closed in the freshwaters of the Situk River.

• King salmon may not be targeted, retained, or possessed
• King salmon caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately
• See the News Release issued on April 23rd for more information about this closure.

Other Marine Fishing

Halibut fishing has been good, with many anglers catching their limits. Lingcod season opened on May 16th, and catches appear to be strong. Good numbers of pelagic rockfish are also being caught.

Nonpelagic rockfish regulations for Southeast Alaska outside waters, including the Yakutat area:

• Alaska Residents: 1 non-pelagic rockfish per day, 1 in possession, no size limit
• Nonresidents: 1 non-pelagic rockfish per day, 1 in possession, no size limit; annual limit of 1 yelloweye which must be recorded in ink on the back of the angler's sport fishing license or harvest record card immediately at the time of harvest

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.

For further information, please contact the Yakutat Area Sport Fish management biologist: Matt Catterson at (907) 784-3222