Area Sport Fishing Reports
Yakutat
Archived Sport Fishing Report
May 18, 2022
Check out 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!
Freshwaters
Steelhead Trout
Spring has finally arrived in Yakutat. Warmer weather and sun are present and have created some nice days intermixed with some occasional showers. Water levels are on the lower end with the current discharge at 178cfs which is slightly below the long-term median. The forecast looks good for the upcoming week.
Steelhead fishing is winding down. Most fish are spawning, and some have begun exiting the system. The weir was installed and fish tight on May 10th. There are a few fresh fish still arriving down low but for the most part, the run has entered the river and currently spawning. Fishing is decent down low, with the fresh fish being more present.
Saltwaters
King Salmon
Sportfishing for king salmon is open in Yakutat area marine waters. Reports of fishing by trollers and sport anglers in Yakutat Bay were good over the weekend. Kings have been reported being caught out front and inside Yakutat Bay amongst the islands. Most anglers are trolling spoons or herring behind a flasher 20-30 feet down along the beaches in about 40-60 feet of water.
Halibut
Halibut fishing is still kind of slow, with a few nice fish being brought in over the past week. Try soaking all sorts of baited circle hooks with bait such as herring, salmon heads, carcasses, octopus, squid, etc. The current nice weather should make it possible to get out front along the coast.
Lingcod
Lingcod fishing opened on May 16th. Try using all sorts of jigs, darts, or cut-plug herring while mooching
Rockfish
Fishing for pelagic rockfish should be excellent in the Yakutat area. Try using all sorts of jigs, dart, or cut-plug herring while mooching.
For further information, please contact the Yakutat Area Sport Fish management biologist Jason Pawluk at (907) 784-3222.