Area Sport Fishing Reports
Yakutat
Archived Sport Fishing Report
August 26, 2021
NEW! Check out the wefishak page on the ADF&G website for the new gofishak interactive map to discover popular fishing locations and information on species run timing, fishing gear selections, and boat and angler access tips!
The previous interactive map for the Yakutat area is still available but will be retired after September 1, 2021. For the most up-to-date information, please use the new app linked above.
* 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 while sport and personal use fishing and wearing a face covering when fishing and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.
Freshwaters
Coho Salmon
Water levels on the Situk River subsided last weekend and early this week making for good coho fishing. However, recent rains have caused the river to come up again and currently the cfs is approximately 750cfs, making for difficult fishing conditions yet again. The forecast calls for more rain over the next couple of days until Sunday, when drier conditions arrive. Foot anglers will have a difficult time accessing good fishing locations, while boat anglers should be relatively unnaffected. Popular lures for coho on the Situk include #5 spinners, spoons, jigs, and brightly colored flies. Try to find the areas where the coho separate from the more numerous pink salmon.
Pink Salmon
Pink fishing is excellent on the lower Situk River. Even with high water pink salmon are so numerous they are easy to find pushed up against the banks in holding waters. Try using any brightly colored lure with a hook.
Saltwaters
King Salmon
Saltwater king fishing is closed to non-residents during the month of August. Resident king salmon fishing has slowed over the last couple of weeks. Coho salmon and pink salmon have moved into the area making it difficult to find the kings. Some good fishing locations include Ocean Cape, Monti Bay, and Kahntaak Island. Most anglers are trolling spoons or herring behind a flasher near the shoreline or around rocky structures. Try fishing in 40-70 feet of water while trolling your gear between 20-40 feet deep.
Coho Salmon
Coho salmon fishing has been excellent over the last week. Coho are being caught near Ocean Cape, Monti Bay, and Kahntaak Island. Most anglers are trolling spoons or herring behind a flasher near the shoreline or around rocky structures. Try fishing in 40-70 feet of water while trolling your gear between 20-40 feet deep. Mooching is also an effective method when a group of coho is found.
Halibut
Halibut fishing is good right now in Yakutat. As pink salmon move in closer to the shoreline and begin staging near creek mouths, halibut will follow making them more available to anglers closer to shore. There have been some reports of dogfish in the area so make sure you bring enough bait!
Lingcod
Lingcod fishing is good right now. Fish near rocky structures or pinnacles with lead/rubber jigs or herring for the best success.
Rockfish
Fishing for black rockfish is excellent in the Yakutat area. Fish near rocky structures or pinnacles with small metal jigs/darts or mooch herring for the best success.
For further information, please contact the Yakutat Area Sport Fish management biologist Jason Pawluk at (907) 784-3222.