Area Sport Fishing Reports
Juneau

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 13, 2016

Sport Fishing in the Juneau Area

King Salmon Fishing

King salmon catch rates for marine boat anglers around the Juneau area from June 20 to July 10 declined 5-fold as spawners began to leave saltwater for the spawning grounds on the Taku, Chilkat and other transboundary rivers.  A few king salmon were caught in Fritz Cove and inner Auke Bay. Catch rates continued to be good for the outside coast, especially Deer Harbor and around Efin Cove, but have also begun to decline. These fish are likely from river systems south of Southeast Alaska and are still feeding before returning to their natal streams. On the Juneau road system, the only area where hatchery kings are consistently being caught is Fish Creek Pond on Douglas Island.  Anglers are reminded that snagging is allowed in the pond, but not in the creek or at the mouth of the creek for a 200-yard radius out into saltwater. Since all king salmon found in freshwaters along the Juneau road system are strays from the hatchery, all anglers fishing Juneau freshwaters may keep 4 king salmon, with 4 in possession with no annual limits. Anglers are reminded that that targeting king salmon within a 200-yard radius of the Macauley Hatchery Wayside Park Fishing Dock is prohibited to allow more king salmon to be recovered for broodstock needs. This closure is in effect because hatchery returns are the lowest on record.

King Salmon Regulations

• To allow anglers access to hatchery king salmon, the area north of the Juneau Douglas Bridge to a line from Outer Point to the Portland Island navigational aid and then to Point Louisa has liberalized bag and possession limits of 4 king salmon of any size within this area. These fish do not count towards nonresident annual limits.
• Juneau roadside freshwaters also have liberalized bag and possession limits for hatchery king salmon of 4 king salmon of any size and any harvested king salmon do not count towards nonresident's annual limit.
• The regional bag limits outside of those areas listed above are: the king salmon bag and possession limit is three king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length for Alaskan Residents, and one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length for nonresidents, with a nonresident annual limit of six king salmon.
• Beginning July 1st, sport fishing for king salmon and snagging will be prohibited within a 200-yard radius of the Wayside Park Fishing Dock (Channel Wayside fishing dock). All snagging is prohibited and king salmon may not be snagged, targeted, retained or possessed. If caught, king slamon must be released immediately.

Anglers should consult the Sport Fishing Emergency Orders and News Releases for relevant maps and bag and possession limits at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/EONR/index.cfm. The maps provided with the News Releases are especially helpful in describing the boundaries for the District 11 closure area, the restricted bag and possession area around Juneau, the hatchery harvest area, the closure area around the Wayside Park fishing dock, and for the general Southeast Alaska king salmon regulatory boundaries.

Charter captains are reminded to be sure to allow marine creel samplers access to their salmon catch, so that samplers can look for adipose-clipped fish that carry coded-wire-tags in their noses, and to take genetics samples and length measurements. This data collection is vital to the longterm conservation of the stocks that all anglers rely on for recreational harvest.

Other salmon

Although king salmon marine boat catch rates have begun dropping off, other salmon are being caught in increasing numbers. Ocean bright chum salmon have been reported in greater numbers west of Point Retreat. Also, increasing numbers of pink salmon were reported from Lizard Head, Cordwood, the Breadline, Fritz Cove/Auke Bay and around Shelter Island. Twice as many coho were reported to creel technicians working the Juneau docks during the past week compared to previous catch rates. Coho salmon were reported from the backside of Douglas, Cordwood, Shelter Island and west of Point Retreat.  A 4-fold increase in coho harvest from the outer coast was reported by marine sport anglers  returning to Elfin Cove and Gustavus.

Halibut and Rockfish

More than twice as many halibut were reported as harvested during the last week than previously as they continue to move inshore and are targeted by more marine anglers around Juneau. Boat anglers fishing near Juneau reported catching halibut and rockfish from a variety of areas including Favorite Reef, north Shelter, Scull Island and Auke Bay. West of Pt Retreat, anglers have had success from Saint James to Couverden Rock, Hanus Reef, Lynn Sisters, Spasski Island and Homeshore. Rockfish species harvested included Quillback, Dusky, Rougheye, Shortraker, Silvergrey, Yelloweye, Pacific Ocean Perch, and Blackgill.

Anglers are reminded that 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.

All non-pelagic rockfish caught must be retained until their bag limit is reached. These include ALL species other than Dark, Dusky, Widow, Black, Blue, and Yellowtail. For the Southeast Inside Waters around Juneau, Alaska residents may keep 3 non-pelagic rockfish daily of any size, of which only 1 may be a yelloweye. Two daily limits may be in possession. Nonresidents may keep 2 daily of any size, only 1 of which may be yelloweye, with 4 in possession, of which no more than 2 may be in possession. All yelloweye must be recorded in ink on the back of the angler's sport fishing license, or onto a harvest record card. Charter anglers are reminded that nonpelagic rockfish and halibut must not be filleted or deheaded prior to docking so that ADF&G sampling technicians can get length measurements.

Anglers should consult the Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary, page 36 for identification of pelagic species and some non-pelagic species. Alaska Sea Grant Marine Advisory Bulletin No. 25, "Guide to Northeast Pacific Rockfishes" is also an excellent reference for rockfish identification, available from the Alaska Sea Grant Program, University of Alaska Fairbanks. 

Lingcod

No lingcod have been reported from the immediate Juneau area, but have been reported from outside waters around Elfin Cove. 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.

Sport Fishing in the Freshwaters of the Juneau Area

Windfall Lake Sockeye 

Sockeye salmon fishing at the confluence of Windfall Creek and Herbert River has been slightly below average during June. Catches have been good, but not as high as banner years. Sockeye appear to be present in about average numbers. Anglers are reminded that Windfall Creek from the outlet of the lake to the confluence with Herbert River is closed to fishing from June 1-July 31, except during June on Wednesdays and Saturdays. During these days the sockeye salmon limit is 1 dialy, 1 in possession, 16 inches or longer. Bait is prohibited, only unbaited artificial lures and flies may be used, and fish must be hooked in the mouth and not snagged.

Dolly Varden char, Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout fishing

A few sea-run Dolly Varden char and anadromous cutthroat trout are being caught in the marine boat fisheries in nearshore waters, especially in areas where salmon are beginning to return to their natal streams. A few Dollies are being caught in area freshwaters, in the Mendenhall River estuary and in Auke Bay. Fly fishermen have been successfuly targeting lake outlets, streams and rivers connecting to salt waters. Shoreline fishing can be very productive as Dollies and trout cruise 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.