Area Sport Fishing Reports
Juneau
Archived Sport Fishing Report
May 10, 2016
Spring King Salmon Fishing
During the past two weeks, catches of a few king salmon have been reported to marine creel samplers in the Juneau area from Doty’s Cove north to the Breadline. Outer Point seems to be the most productive area with a few fish still being caught in Fritz Cove and Auke Bay. King salmon are also being reported from South Shelter, Funter Bay and Lizard Head. Fishing shallower around the tide changes with white, red and chartreuse, and any flashers with UV reflectiveness will help with the reduced light during this rainy spring. Whole herring or hoochies behind a large hotspot flasher could just be the ticket. It can still be cool out on the water, especially during those early morning bites, so dress warmly and good luck fishing!
A few king salmon have also been caught off the rocks at Picnic Cove during the past two weeks. More anglers are expected to fish the rocky shorelines as the spring weather improves. Slow-retrieving whole herring behind a banana weight seems to be effective when fishing from shore, especially around morning tides. Please remember to purchase your 2016 fishing license if you haven't done so already!
Juneau Area King Salmon Sport Fishing Regulations (saltwater) April 15 – June 30, 2016
For the waters of District 11, north of Pt. Hugh, north through District 15 south of Sherman Rock:
The bag and possession limit for District 11 (Juneau area) is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length, for all anglers.
The waters of Taku Inlet north of a line from Cooper Point to the mouth of Dorothy Creek are closed to king salmon fishing.
These regulations are in place because Taku River king salmon production is low at this time. More liberal regional bag limits, set under the Southeast Alaska King Salmon Mangment Plan are not appropriate in areas where local king salmon stocks are in a period of low productivity.
Southeast Alaska Regionwide King Salmon Sport Fishing Regulations (outside Juneau area)
Alaskan Resident
The resident bag and possession limit is three king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.
Nonresident
The nonresident bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length, except during May and June 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. Nonresident anglers shall immediately record, in ink, all king salmon harvested either on the back of their sport fishing license or on a nontransferable harvest record.
Sport anglers may only use 1 rod while fishing for king salmon from April 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016.
Anglers should keep an eye on the Sportfishing News Releases: (http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/EONR/index.cfm) for sportfishing regulations. The hatchery king salmon regulations in the designated terminal harvest area will be addressed in another, separate news release in late May.
Halibut, Lingcod, and Rockfish
A few marine boat anglers fishing west of Pt Retreat in Funter Bay and in Icy Strait, on the Breadline, and in Auke Bay reported catching a few halibut feeding on baitfish in shallower water. Quillback rockfish were also reported caught.
Halibut limits for unguided anglers are 2 fish per day, any size with 4 in possession. Charter anglers may keep 1 fish daily, which must be less than or equal to 43 inches or greater than or equal to 80 inches in length. Anglers are reminded that all non-pelagic rockfish caught must be retained until their bag limit is reached. The Northern Southeast Alaska season for lingcod opens May 16. Once opened by emergency order, Alaskan 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.
Please consult the 2016 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
Sea-run Dolly Varden char, rainbow trout and cuthroat trout appear to have left their “over wintering” sites (lakes and ponds) and are now in the estuaries and nearshore ocean areas. Lake outlets, streams and rivers connecting to salt water are prime places to catch these fish at this time of year. Saltwater shoreline fishing can be very productive as Dollies and trout begin to spend their time cruising the shoreline looking for food. Spoons and spinners work well, as do smolt and fry imitations.
Anglers should check the 2016 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 daily, 2 in possession, no size limit.