Area Sport Fishing Reports
Haines/Skagway
Archived Sport Fishing Report
October 20, 2014
Weekly Fishing Report
Coho (silver) salmon
Coho salmon catch rates on the Chilkat River improved as the water level remained fairly stable. Coho salmon sport fishing limits on the Chilkat River are 6 per day and 12 in possession. Counts so far on Chilkat River spawning streams show an escapement above the upper end of the goal range.
Catch rates on the Chilkoot River were fair last weekend. The Chilkoot River coho salmon limits are 2 per day and 2 in possession.
Fishing should continue to 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 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
The Chilkat Lake weir sockeye salmon counts ended last week with a season total over 70,000 fish, which met the lower end of the escapement goal range (70,000 to 150,000 fish).
The Chilkoot River weir sockeye salmon counts ended last month at 105,000 fish, which exceeded the upper end of the escapement goal range (38,000 to 86,000 fish).
Pink salmon
Pink salmon runs are finished for 2014. The Chilkoot River pink salmon run was about 40% of average. Pink salmon never really showed up in the Chilkat River fish wheels, with catches 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 declined as larger fish have moved south, out of the Haines area.
King salmon
Now through March 31, 2015, sport anglers may use 2 rods when fishing for 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 earlier in the 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.