Area Sport Fishing Reports
Juneau

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 02, 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.

Regional Regulations for Southeast Marine Waters - outside of THA

Beyond the 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

Non-Resident:

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

Hatchery king salmon fishing in the Juneau THA continues to be productive. The three release sites (Auke Creek, Fish Creek and Macaulay Hatchery all have good concentrations of fish. Outside the THA, anglers fishing on the backside of Douglas, Shelter Island area, Couverden, Lizard Head and the outer coast area (Deer Harbor), reported harvesting king salmon. Marine boat anglers returning to Elfin Cove and Gustavus have also reported good catch rates for king salmon and some early coho salmon. 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. Pink and chum salmon catches have increased as both wild stock and hatchery fish begin to enter the waters in and around Juneau. Action for sport pink salmon fishing should really start heating up near the beaches at Echo Cove. Reports are they pink salmon are pretty large this year and should be found in good numbers being an odd year cycle.

Halibut, Lingcod, Sablefish (blackcod), and Rockfish

Halibut fishing has been somewhat hit or miss this year but anglers are catching a few fish in North Pass, Couverden and Icy Straits area. Rockfish are also being brought in to Juneau's port by sport anglers fishing near Shelter Island, Backside of Admiralty and further out near the outer coast. 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

Dolly Varden and trout fishing should really start heating up in the local streams on the Juneau road system. These fish are now in place and ready for salmon to start entering the streams to spawn. Once the chums begin to drop eggs look for Dolly Varden and trout to start gobbling up this important food source. Anglers will have the best luck using bright orange lures, beads or egg pattern flies over the next few weeks. Good spots to try your luck this week include: Sheep, Salmon, Montana, Peterson and Cowee creeks.

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.