Area Sport Fishing Reports
Yakutat

Archived Sport Fishing Report

April 08, 2022

Freshwaters

Steelhead Trout

The weather in Yakutat continues to be cold and snowy. This morning we got a few inches of wet snow to go on top of an already deep snow base. There is drier weather on the horizon though with clear sunny skies and no precipitation. This Saturday through next Friday look pretty nice. However, overnight lows are expected to get down near the teens which will be good in terms of walking on top of the snow, but bad for comfortable temperatures in the mornings.

Water conditions on the Situk River have been higher than normal for a long stretch of the early spring. Currently, we are at a discharge of around 450cfs. Discharge should drop however over the next week making wading conditions slightly easier with this higher water. As a benchmark, it becomes increasingly difficult to cross the river in certain locations at around 350cfs. Water temperatures are slightly below normal for this time of year. The next week will indicate if the run might be late due to the colder water temperatures. Snow levels at nine-mile bridge continue to make it difficult to access the river at traditional access points. Boating conditions are good right now with the higher water levels. There have been a few fish sightings between the bridge and lower landing. The bulk of the run has yet to enter the river, and most likely won't for a while.

Fishing is expected to be slow until water temperatures rise some and water levels drop.

Saltwaters

King Salmon

Sportfishing for king salmon is open in Yakutat area marine waters. Reports of fishing out in Yakutat Bay have not been good recently, however. No fish being caught has been reported for many anglers over the past week. Also of note is that the herring are out in large numbers spawning which leads to difficulty fishing and finding king salmon to strike. Most anglers are trolling spoons or herring behind a flasher.

Halibut

Halibut fishing is slow. Constant storms make getting out to fishing grounds difficult.

Lingcod

Lingcod fishing is closed until May 16th.

Rockfish

Fishing for rockfish should be excellent in the Yakutat area.

For further information, please contact the Yakutat Area Sport Fish management biologist Jason Pawluk at (907) 784-3222.

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