Area Sport Fishing Reports
Haines/Skagway

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 15, 2014

Spring fishing opportunities

King salmon in salt water

The marine creel survey program started last week at Haines docks. Effort has been light so far, and creel surveyors encountered no harvested king salmon. In Skagway, the first king of the season was caught last week.

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.

Char and Trout

The Chilkat River water clouded up with glacial silt and the water level rose this week, so seek out Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout in clear water tributaries and lakes. Chilkoot Lake and River still have good Dolly Varden fishing.Some Dollies and cutties can be caught in near shore salt waters in the summer.

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.2014 salmon run forecast

2014 salmon run forecasts

King salmon

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

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. Runs in this area tend to be stronger in odd-numbered years than in even-numbered years.

Coho salmon

We are expecting an average Chilkat River coho salmon run. Coho salmon fishing in Haines/Skagway area fresh water peaks in October.

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