Area Sport Fishing Reports
Juneau

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 10, 2015

Hatchery King Salmon Regulations in the Juneau Terminal Harvest Area (THA)

As of June 1st, liberalized regulations for hatchery king salmon in the Juneau THA are in effect. For anglers fishing within the Auke Bay/Fritz Cove to Juneau-Douglas Bridge area, the following regulations apply through Saturday, 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.

Freshwater drainages crossed by the Juneau Road System that are open to sport fishing are now open year-round to king salmon fishing with a bag and possession limit of 4 fish of any size. King salmon caught by nonresidents in these drainages do not count toward their annual limit. In addition, liberlized methods and means are in effect for Fish Creek Pond from June 1- August 31. Please consult the 2015 Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet for these regulations.

Regulations for King Salmon in District 11 (Juneau area) outside of the THA

Anglers are reminded that Juneau area king salmon regulations are still in effect for the District 11 area outside of the THA through June 30, 2015. They are:

• The king salmon bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length for all anglers,
• The waters of the upper Taku inlet north of a line from Cooper Point to the mouth of Dorothy Creek are closed to king salmon fishing.

The southern boundary of the District 11 area is defined by a line from Pt. Hugh to Pt. League in Stephens Passage, and a line at the Latitude of 57o 37’ N across lower Seymour Canal. The northern boundary of District 11 is defined by a line from Little Island light to Pt. Retreat and at the Latitude of Little Island light to the mainland. All of the area between these southern and northern boundary lines is considered to be within District 11.

Regional Regulations for Southeast Marine Waters - outside of District 11

Beyond the District 11 boundaries described above, Southeast regionwide regulations are in effect from 12:01 a.m. Friday May 1, 2015 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, May 1, 2016:

Alaskan Resident

• The resident bag and possession limit is three king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. There is no annual limit.

Nonresident

• The nonresident bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length, except during May and June, during which the bag and possession limit is two king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length;
• The nonresident annual limit is six king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.

From October 1, 2015 through March 31, 2016; all sport anglers may use two rods when fishing for king salmon.

King Salmon Fishing Report for Juneau Area

As hatchery king salmon become more abundant in the immediate Juneau area, fishing this past week has continued to improve for marine boat anglers, especially in the Fritz Cove and Outer Point areas. Boat anglers fishing Marmion/Salsbury, Pt. Bishop, Auke Bay, Breadline, and N. Shelter reported the best catches this past week. With the good weather, plenty of boats have been fishing other areas farther away from Juneau as well, including Lizard Head, Cordwood, Funter Bay, and Hawk Inlet.  A few chum salmon are now also being reported from these outlying areas. Halibut are being hrvested in the Icy Straits area from Pt. Couverden to Dundas Bay. Marine boat anglers returning to Elfin Cove and Gustavus have also reported good catches of king salmon and increasing halibut harvest. Anglers are reminded to please turn in any king salmon head from fish missing an adipose fin. These fish have valuable data embedded in Coded-Wire-Tags in their noses that provide infomation about stream origin.

Halibut, Lingcod, Sablefish (blackcod),  and Rockfish

A few marine boat anglers fishing N. Shelter, St. James Bay, and off Marmion Island have reported catching a few halibut and rockfish this week, but overall catch rates are still relatively low in these areas. A few blackcod were also reported from areas of Chatham Straits.  Anglers are reminded that all non-pelagic rockfish caught must be retained until their bag limit is reached. Also, in northern Southeast waters residents may keep 1 lingcod daily with 2 in possession, no size limits. Nonresidents may keep 1 lingcod daily with 1 in possession, annual limit of 2. Lingcod size limits are 30-35 inches, or 55 inches or greater. Nonresidents must record all lingcod harvested on the back of their sport fish license or on a harvest record. Anglers may catch 4 blackcod daily and have 4 in possession.

Please consult the 2015 Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations to identify pelagic and non-pelagic rockfish and for daily bag and possession limits for lingcod and rockfish.

Dolly Varden char, Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout fishing

Anadromous Dolly Varden char, rainbow trout and cuthroat trout are being caught in the nearshore ocean areas. Estuarine areas and stream/river mouths are particularly productive for these predators of salmon fry and smolt. Spin casters can have fun with spoons and spinners, while the fly-fishers should try smolt and fry imitations. Larger anadromous Dollies following the king salmon back to the rivers are also being reported in marine creel catches around the Juneau area.

Anglers should check the 2015 Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations for trout and Dolly Varden regulations. Juneau Area Freshwater Special Regulations for local lakes, creeks, rivers, and drainages can be found on pages 18-21. Unless otherwise specified, cutthroat and rainbow trout limits (in combination) on the Juneau Road System are 2 daily and 2 in possession, 14 inch minimum and 22 inch maximum. Dolly Varden limits are 2 dialy, 2 in possession, no size limit.