Area Sport Fishing Reports
Haines/Skagway
Archived Sport Fishing Report
September 10, 2014
Fall fishing opportunities
Coho (silver) salmon
Coho salmon catch rates have been very strong in the Chilkat River fish wheels. Counts at the Chilkoot River weir were strong before the weir was removed on September 10.
Coho salmon fishing in the Chilkat and Chilkoot rivers will improve as cooler weather slows glacial melt and the river waters drop and become less silty. Sudden rises in the river water level from rain events can also cloud the water and decrease angler success. The National Weather Service tracks the Chilkat River water level for the past week and predicts the level for the next 3 days.
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 below average for this time of year. The Chilkat sockeye run will continue through September. The Chilkat Lake weir sockeye salmon counts, over 44,000 so far, are tracking slightly below the escapement goal range (70,000 to 150,000 fish) to be reached by mid-October.
The Chilkoot River weir was removed for the season on September 10. The Chilkoot River sockeye salmon run of 105,000 sockeye salmon exceeded the upper end of the escapement goal range (38,000 to 86,000 fish).
Pink salmon
The Chilkoot River pink salmon run was about 40% of average.
Pink salmon never really showed up in the Chilkat River fish wheels this year. 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.
King salmon
The Chilkat River king salmon run fell short of the escapement 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. About 250,000 hatchery-reared smolt will be released in Pullen Pond in June 2015, and ADF&G will attempt to collect adults for broodstock in August 2015.