Area Sport Fishing Reports
Yakutat

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 18, 2019

An excellent resource for trip planning is the Yakutat Interactive Map which provides information on fishing locations, species run timing, fishing gear, and angler access.

Sockeye Salmon

The Situk sockeye run continues to be below average. As of July 18th, nearly 39,000 sockeye have passed the Situk River weir. Weir counts are updated daily and can be viewed at the ADF&G Fish Counts website.

The Situk is managed to achieve an escapement target of 50,000 sockeye. Weir counts so far this season have been on track to produce a final escapement count below that target necessitating the following restrictions to the Situk River sport fishery:

  • The area closed to all sportfishing downstream of the Situk weir has been extended to encompass the entire “Rodeo Hole”. Markers have been placed on the river at the closed area boundaries
  • The bag limit for sockeye salmon on the Situk River has been reduced to one fish per day, two in possession.

Strong numbers of fish moved past the weir with the rain event that occurred this past week. If those strong returns continue into next week there may be opportunity to increase the bag limit.

Pink Salmon

Good numbers of pink salmon are also entering the Situk, providing good sport fishing opportunity in the lower portions of the river.

King Salmon

Sport fishing for king salmon is closed in the Situk River. King salmon may not be targeted, retained, or possessed; king salmon caught while sockeye fishing may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

Sport fishing for king salmon is open in Yakutat Area marine waters. While catches have slowed around Yakutat as the fishery begins to focus primarily on groundfish, king salmon are still being caught by anglers targeting them.

The following regulations are now in effect through May 1st, 2020:

Residents:

  • Bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.

Nonresidents:

  • Bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.
  • From July 1 through December 31, 2019 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.

Other Marine Fishing

Coho Salmon

Coho are just beginning to be caught in Yakutat area marine waters. Catch rates should improve weekly as more fish move into nearshore areas.

Halibut

Halibut fishing continues to be strong with most anglers catching their limits.

Lingcod

Lingcod fishing also continues to be good.

Pelagic Rockfish

Rockfish catches also continue to be strong. Good numbers black rockfish are being caught by anglers.

  • Season: year round
  • Five per day; ten in possession

Non-pelagic Rockfish

Anglers are reminded that retention of nonpelagic rockfish is prohibited in Yakutat area waters from July 25 through August 31. All vessels in Yakutat area waters during this time must have a functional deep water release mechanism on board while fishing (regardless of target species) and all nonpelagic rockfish must be released at depth of capture or at least 100 feet.

  • Resident - One non-pelagic rockfish daily; possession limit of one fish.
  • Nonresident - One non-pelagic rockfish daily; possession limit of one fish; with an annual limit of one yelloweye rockfish.
  • Nonresident anglers must immediately record yelloweye rockfish harvested, in ink, either on the back of their sport fishing license, or on a nontransferable harvest record.
  • Persons sport fishing from a charter vessel when releasing non-pelagic rockfish, (e.g. after an angler reaches their bag limit), must be in possession of, and utilize a deep water release mechanism to return the fish to the depth it was hooked or to a depth of at least 100 feet.
  • Charter operators and crew members may not retain non-pelagic rockfish while clients are on board the vessel.

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.

Regulation summaries and the most recent regulatory changes are available online and at the Yakutat ADF&G office, most local tackle and outdoor stores in Alaska.

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

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