Area Sport Fishing Reports
Juneau

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 13, 2014

King Salmon

Catch rates for adult king salmon have declined in the past few weeks, however, marine boat anglers reported catching feeder kings in many areas where other salmon are being caught. King salmon catches came from South Shelter, backside of Douglas Island, False Pt. Retreat, Funter Bay and Hawk Inlet. Hatchery kings are now past prime condition but a few are still being taken from DIPAC dock and Fish Creek pond. Anglers fishing outside of the designated Juneau Terminal Harvest Area are reminded that the resident bag and possession limit is 3 king salmon 28 inches or greater in length, the non-resident bag and possession limit is 1 king salmon 28 inches or greater in length. There is an annual limit of 6 king salmon for non-residents and a harvest record is required.

For anglers fishing in the Auke Bay/Fritz Cove to upper Gastineau Channel Terminal Harvest Area, the following regulations apply through Sunday, August 31st:

  • The daily bag and possession limit is four king salmon of any size;
  • King salmon harvested by nonresidents in the designated terminal harvest area and time period do not count toward the annual limit.
  • King salmon sport fishing regulations for freshwaters crossed by the Juneau road system were also liberalized through August 31st to allow harvest of hatchery king salmon entering local streams near hatchery release sites. The daily bag and possession limit is four king salmon of any size.
  • King salmon harvested by nonresidents in the designated terminal harvest area and time period do not count toward their annual limit.

Regulations for Fish Creek Pond on Douglas Island are as follows:

  • Use of bait is allowed;
  • Use of weighted hooks and lures, and multiple (treble) hooks with a gap greater than ½ inch between the point and shank is allowed;
  • Anglers may retain king salmon that are hooked elsewhere than in the mouth (snagged)
  • Anglers should note that these regulations do not apply in the freshwaters of Fish Creek proper (excluding Fish Creek Pond) and in intertidal waters within a 200 yard radius of the creek mouth. Snagging is not permitted in these areas. Attempting to snag or retain fish hooked elsewhere than in the mouth is prohibited.

Coho, Chum, Sockeye, and Pink Salmon

Anglers are reporting good catch rates throughout the Juneau area for coho, pink and chum salmon. Catches were reported from Outer Point, Georges Rock, Shelter Island (north and south), North Pass, Handtrollers Cove, Shrine of St Therese, Funter Bay, Lizard Head, backside of Douglas Island, Pt Hilda, Breadline, and False Pt Retreat. An occasional troll-caught sockeye salmon are also still being reported. Elfin Cove and Gustavus reported some of the highest catches of coho for the season this past week. 

  • Resident and Non-Resident limits for chum, coho, pink and sockeye salmon in salt water are:
  • 16 inches or longer - 6 of each species daily, 12 of each species in possession

Halibut and Rockfish

Boat anglers continue to report catches of halibut last week throughout the Juneau area including St James Bay, Lynn Sisters, Vanderbilt Reef, Benjamin Island, Sentinal Rock, Portland and Lincoln Islands, Poundstone Rock, Pt. Retreat, Georges Rock, Scull Island, Young Bay, Dupont/South Douglas, Hawk Inlet, Icy Strait, and Whitestone Harbor. Halibut catches were reported from Elfin Cove and Gustavus, but fishermen seemed to be targeting primarily salmon. If halibut are filleted at sea, charter operators are reminded that they are to retain the carcass until landing, so that length information can be obtained.

In addition to halibut, several rockfish species were also caught. Quillback, Silvergrey, Dusky, Yelloweye, and Rougheye were the most commonly caught rockfish. Anglers are reminded that all non-pelagic rockfish caught must be retained until their bag limit is reached. Please consult the 2014 Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulation Summary Book to identify common pelagic and non-pelagic rockfish and for daily bag and possession limits. Another good reference for identifying rockfish is the Guide of Northeast Pacific Rockfishes by Kramer and O'Connell, Alaska Sea Grant Program, University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Marine boat anglers returning to area ports are reminded to not fillet, mutilate, or de-head sport caught lingcod, non-pelagic rockfish and king and coho salmon so that ADF&G creel survey technicians can get length measurements, sex information and for identification of tagged fish. Gilling and gutting is not prohibited, and anglers may fillet and de-head king and coho salmon, lingcod and non-pelagic rockfish once the vessel returns to port.

Cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden

Dolly Varden and trout fishing in local freshwater streams is excellent right now as the salmon spawning is in full swing. Most trout and Dolly Varden are now feeding on eggs and salmon flesh. Fishing should be good in Cowee, Peterson, Salmon, Sheep and Montana creeks. Anglers typically have success catching these fish using small spinners or smolt pattern flies. However, egg patterns and flesh flies are now more effective as these are the primary food sources available in local streams right now.

The following bag and possession limits apply in freshwater drainages crossed by the Juneau road system as well as saltwater areas within ¼ mile of shore:

  • Dolly Varden: 2 daily, 2 in possession, no size limit.
  • Cutthroat and rainbow trout: 2 daily, 2 in possession, 14 inch minimum and 22 in maximum size limit.
  • Use of bait in Juneau area freshwaters is prohibited except for in Salmon Creek reservoir, and Twin Lakes.
  • The following streams are closed to sport fishing: Auke Creek below Glacier Highway, Auke Nu drainage, Duck Creek, Jordan Creek, Steep Creek, Switzer Creek, and Vanderbilt Creek.
  • Dolly Varden fishing is closed in Auke Lake drainages upstream of Glacier Highway and in Mendenhall Lake.

Anglers should check the 2014 Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet available at local vendors, the ADF&G office, or online at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=ByAreaSoutheastJuneau.main for closed areas and bag and possession limits for the various Juneau freshwater systems.

Current emergency orders and news releases for Southeast Alaska can be found here: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/EONR/index.cfm?ADFG=region.R1

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