Area Sport Fishing Reports
Yakutat

Archived Sport Fishing Report

September 25, 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

Last week brought heavy rain and high-water conditions to Yakutat streams. Flood conditions have receded and stream flows are stabilizing near more normal seasonal levels. These conditions have allowed coho to move upstream and spread throughout watersheds.

Fishing seems to be somewhat hit or miss. Anglers finding groups of fish are doing well, but we’re not seeing the densities of fish that were occurring earlier in the run. Short-term weather forecast does not show much rain for Yakutat, that should allow stream levels to continue to drop which will help anglers find fish. Lost River and Tawah Creek have been recent coho hot spots.

Saltwater coho fishing is slow as the saltwater season wraps up. We’re seeing decent catch rates from anglers targeting coho in nearshore and lagoon 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 is open in Yakutat Area marine waters.

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, Lingcod, and Rockfish

With October approaching saltwater sport fisheries are wrapping up. Chartered anglers are still targeting and catching bottom fish, but both catch rates and fishing effort are decreasing.

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

Helpful links