Area Sport Fishing Reports
Juneau

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 26, 2015

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

Beginning June 1st, liberalized regulations for hatchery king salmon in the Juneau THA went into 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 and THA boundaries described above, Anglers are notified that the Southeast regionwide regulations that allow Alaska resident bag and possession limit of three king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length and nonresident annual limit of 6 king salmon will change July 1, 2015 to the following regulations:   

Effective from 12:01 a.m. Wednesday July 1, 2015 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 2, 2016:

Alaskan Resident

• The resident bag and possession limit is two 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,
• The nonresident annual limit is three king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length

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

Salmon Fishing Report for Juneau Area

King salmon fishing this past week within the THA has continued to be good, especially in the Fritz Cove and Auke Bay areas.  More kings were caught from the Fish Creek estuary and Fish Creek pond. Anglers are harvesting king salmon and a few chums from the Macauley Hatchery/Waysidde park area. Anglers are reminded that the southern boundary of the THA for 2015 is the Juneau-Douglas Bridge. Outside the THA, areas such as Marmion Island and Pt Salisbury, Pt Retreat, Backside of Douglas, Outer Point, Cordwood, Lizardhead, Hawk Inlet and Funter Bay have reported catches of king salmon.  Anglers returning from Deer Harbor are catching good numbers of king salmon. Marine boat anglers returning to Elfin Cove and Gustavus have also reported better catches of king salmon than the previous week. 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. More chum and pink salmon, and a few coho salmon are being reported from east of Admiralty Island, as these species begin to move into inner channels in increasing numbers. Auke Bay, Amalga Harbor, Pt Retreat,  and N. Pass areas seem to be the best bets for chums and pink.  Pink salmon should begin showing up in the Echo Cove area soon and may be available to anglers by the July 4th weekend.

Halibut, Lingcod, Sablefish (blackcod), and Rockfish

A few marine boat anglers fishing N. Shelter, St. James Bay, Skull Island, and off Benjamin Island have reported catching more halibut and rockfish, including the following species: Dusky, Yelloweye, Silvergrey and Canary, Quillback, and Pacific Ocean Perch rockfish. Good catches of halibut are being reported from Lynn Sisters and from the Icy Straits area from Spasski island to Homeshore. 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. Look for these fish to start moving back into freshwater streams over the next couple of weeks to follow the salmon runs and start feeding on salmon eggs. 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 continue to be 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.