Area Sport Fishing Reports
Haines/Skagway

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 28, 2014

Summer fishing opportunities

King salmon in salt water

Catch rates were slow during the first weekend of the Haines Sportsman's Association King Salmon Derby. 22 kings were entered in the derby, and the leader is Mark Edwards with a 42 lb. fish. The derby concludes this weekend, May 31 and June 1.

Skagway anglers have reported several kings greater than 28 inches caught this year. The Skagway creel survey starts this week.

Anglers returning to Skagway and Haines must wait to fillet king salmon until they are tied up at a dock. This keeps fish available for biological sampling by creel surveyors.

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 non-resident bag and possession limit will be 1 king salmon 28 inches or greater in length.
  • The non-resident annual limit is 6 king salmon 28 inches or greater in length.
  • Immediately upon landing and retaining a king salmon, non-residents must enter the species, date and location, in ink, on the back of their sport fishing license or harvest record.

Char and Trout

Chilkoot Lake and River have good Dolly Varden fishing. The Chilkat River water is clouded with glacial silt, so seek out Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout in clear water tributaries and lakes. Dollies and cutties can also 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 average harvest rates 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 below 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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