Area Sport Fishing Reports
Haines/Skagway

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 08, 2014

Spring fishing opportunities

Char and Trout

Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout fishing has been slower than average this spring in the Chilkat River. The went out at Chilkoot Lake this week opening up new opportunity.

Bait is prohibited when fishing in Chilkat Lake or Mosquito Lake and their inlet and outlet streams. Use the Sport Fishing Regulations link on the left for details and a map.

King salmon

The marine creel survey program started this week at Haines docks. Haines area marine anglers must wait until they are tied up at a dock to fillet their king salmon. This keeps the fish available for biological sampling by creel survey staff.

2014 king salmon regulations for Southeast Alaska salt water are:

  • For Alaska residents, the bag and possession limit is 3 king salmon 28 inches or greater in length.
  • For non-Alaska residents, the bag and possession limit is 2 king salmon 28 inches or greater in length during May and June. From July onwards, the bag and possession limit will be 1 king salmon 28 inches or greater in length.
  • The nonresident annual limit is 6 king salmon 28 inches or greater in length.
  • Immediately upon landing and retaining a king salmon, nonresidents must enter the species, date and location, in ink, on the back of their sport fishing license or harvest record.

2014 salmon run forecast

King salmon

We are expecting a small run of Chilkat River Chinook salmon this year that will sustain normal harvests and meet the escapement goal.

Coho salmon

We are expecting an average Chilkat River coho salmon run.

Sockeye salmon

The Chilkat River sockeye is expected to be above average.

The Chilkoot River sockeye salmon run is expected to be average.

Pink salmon

The Chilkoot River and Chilkat River pink salmon runs are expected to be below average. Pink salmon have a 2-year life cycle, and runs in this area tend to be stronger in odd-numbered years than in even-numbered years.

Helpful links