Area Sport Fishing Reports
Haines/Skagway
Archived Sport Fishing Report
September 09, 2014
Fall fishing opportunities
Coho (silver) salmon
Early coho salmon catch rates have been very strong in the Chilkat River fish wheels and at the Chilkoot River weir.
Coho salmon fishing in the Chilkat and Chilkoot rivers will improve when cooler weather slows glacial melt and the river waters drop and become less silty.
Char and Trout
Seek out Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout in clear water streams and lakes. Dollies and cutties that fed in near-shore salt waters this summer are returning to deep fresh water wintering sites in rivers and lakes.
Bait is prohibited when fishing in Chilkat Lake or Mosquito Lake and their inlet and outlet streams. Use the Sport Fishing Regulations link for details and a map.
Sockeye salmon
Sockeye salmon counts in the Chilkat River fish wheels are average for this time of year. The Chilkat sockeye run will continue through September. The Chilkat Lake weir sockeye counts, over 40,000 so far, are on track to meet the escapement goal (70,000 to 150,000 fish) by mid-October.
The Chilkoot River sockeye salmon run is winding down, with fewer than 100 fish per day passing upstream through the weir. This year's run of 105,000 sockeye salmon exceeded the upper end of the escapement goal range (38,000 to 86,000 fish). The Chilkoot River weir will be removed for the season on September 11.
Pink salmon
The Chilkoot River pink salmon run was about 40% of average. As the run woinds down, the pink salmon die-off is reaching its annual peak.
Pink salmon never really showed up in the Chilkat River fish wheels this year. The fish wheel catches were only 2% of average.
Pink salmon have a 2-year life cycle. Runs in upper Lynn Canal tend to be stronger in odd-numbered years than in even-numbered years.
Halibut
Anglers report that halibut catch rates are declining as larger fish move south, out of the Haines area.
Summary of 2014 Haines and Skagway area salmon runs
King salmon
The Chilkat River king salmon run fell short of the inriver abundance goal range in 2014. Spawning ground surveys are complete.
The August king salmon feeder fishery in Taiya Inlet did not materialize this year, and catches in the early summer were also weak.
King salmon broodstock failed to show up at ADF&G's weir in Pullen Creek in August. King salmon smolt releases in Pullen Creek have become intermittent due to lack of broodstock in 2012 and 2014. ADF&G will attempt broodstock collection again in 2015.