Area Sport Fishing Reports
Yakutat

Archived Sport Fishing Report

September 11, 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.

Coho Salmon

Coho fishing in Yakutat streams continues to be good despite persistent low and warm water conditions. Early mornings, evenings, and incoming tides provide the best opportunity as we are seeing good numbers of fish coming into the lower sections of area streams.

Rain is forecasted again for the latter half of this week which could greatly improve fishing conditions.

Saltwater coho fishing has improved significantly. We’re seeing decent catch rates from anglers targeting coho in nearshore and offshore areas.

Sockeye Salmon

The Situk River weir was pulled on August 11th. The total 2019 Situk River sockeye count was 72,541, counts can be viewed at the ADF&G Fish Counts website.

King Salmon

The total 2019 Situk River count of large king salmon was 623.

Sport fishing for king salmon remains 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. Catch rates in the Yakutat area continue to be low as anglers focus on coho and groundfish.

The following regulations are now in effect:

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 August 16 through December 31, 2019, the annual harvest limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length, and any king salmon harvested earlier in 2019 apply toward the one fish annual harvest limit;
  • Immediately upon retaining a king salmon a nonresident must enter the species, date and location, in ink, on the back of their sport fishing license or on a nontransferable harvest record.

Other Marine Fishing

Halibut

Halibut fishing continues to be good in Yakutat area waters, as it has been all season.

Lingcod

Lingcod fishing also continues to be good.

Rockfish

Rockfish catch rates continue to be good and fishing for non-pelagic rockfish is open.

An emergency order was issued in March 2019 that prohibits retention of non-pelagic rockfish in outside waters, and it was referenced in the Southeast Alaska sportfishing regulation summary on page 12.

All vessels are encouraged to have at least one functional deep water release device to release nonpelagic rockfish at depth. 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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