Area Sport Fishing Reports
Yakutat
Archived Sport Fishing Report
September 02, 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.
* 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 this last week making for good coho fishing conditions. However, today the weather has switched back to rain and is causing the river to come up yet again. Currently the discharge is approximately 481cfs and rising fast, making for difficult fishing conditions yet again. The forecast calls for more rain over the next week. Foot anglers will have a difficult time accessing good fishing locations, while boat anglers should be relatively unnaffected. Fishing did slow down over the past week, but there are still good numbers of coho out in the estuary according to commercial catches and should enter the river over the next few days with the rising water levels.
Coho salmon are also being caught in other freshwater streams including the Tsiu, Italio, Akwe, Lost and Tawah.
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
King salmon fishing has slowed over the last few 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 slowed some over the last week, but fishing is still considered good. 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. Good sized halibut being caught near shore inside Yakutat Bay have been reported. 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.