Area Sport Fishing Reports
Juneau

Archived Sport Fishing Report

September 27, 2019

Marine Boat Fishing Reports

Coho and King

Coho salmon fishing is still decent in area saltwaters. Fish are being caught at DIPAC, Sheep Creek and the Channel, but with the rainfall we've had this past week, more fish are being attracted into freshwater. Freshwater fishing for cohos should pick up this weekend as these high flows subside and fish move upstream in preparation for spawning. Anglers using lime green or blaze orange flies or lures are having the best luck. Flying C lures in orange or green or rabbit strip flies in white and green and white and pink are also good choices. Feeder kings may also still be available on the backside of Douglas and west of Point Retreat down to Couverden. Good luck out there, be safe and hopefully you can harvest a few more fish before winter sets in.

Bottomfish: Halibut, Sablefish, Lingcod & Rockfish

Halibut catches in the Juneau area were declining as fewer anglers target this species and the season winds down. Nevertheless, there are still some fish being caught in the North Pass/Vanderbilt reef area, Scull Island and the backside of Douglas. Better catch rates can be had out in the Icy Strait/Cross Sound area. Look for halibut fishing near Juneau to continue to be productive for a bit longer as post spawn salmon flush out of their natal streams with the fall rains. Try fishing on humps located in Southern Lynn Canal and Stephens passage and look to target stream mouths after a good rainfall. Rockfish may also be available in the reef areas, including Duskies, Quillbacks, Silvergreys and Rougheyes. Icy Straits, Cross Sound, and Deer Harbor may offer better catch rates, just be aware that as fall/winter approaches the possibility of stormier weather looms. Be safe out on the water and always file a float plan with someone back home.

Creel samplers from the Department have completed the season in Juneau, Elfin Cove and Gustavus. Thanks to all anglers who participated in these surveys. ADF&G realizes that these creel interviews can seem redundant, but weekly catch reporting has been useful and essential for collecting inseason harvest data. Thanks again!

Other Shoreside Fishing Opportunities

Dolly Varden/cutthroat trout/rainbow fishing

Trout and char fishing will improve as salmon eggs and salmon flesh become more available in the local creeks. Try fishing egg patterns or salmon flesh patterns or small spinners and spoons in Salmon Creek, Sheep Creek, and Cowee Creek areas. For the best chance to catch a Dolly Varden close to home on the Juneau roadside, try fishing in Sheep Creek and Montana Creek. Since the trout and char are feeding voraciously on salmon eggs try using flies or small spinners and spoons in bright orange. Upper Montana Creek is another great place to catch Dolly Varden and trout. Anglers should use egg imitations and bright orange colors over the next few weeks. Anything that is bright orange and resembles a salmon egg should work well.

Families may want to consider taking their kids to Twin Lakes or Dredge Lakes to catch some stocked rainbows. Surveys have indicated good numbers of fish in south Twin Lake, and in the Dredge Lakes area including Crystal, Morraine and Glacier Lakes off of Backloop road. Fishing this past week in these lakes has been quite good, with good sized, acrobatic hatchery rainbows available for your fishing fun. Use of bait is prohibited, but artificial lures and flies may be used year-round and work quite well. Small spinners and small dry or wet flies are the best bets. Also, please participate in our angler survey by filling out survey forms available at boxes provided at the trailheads and along the access roads. Be bear aware in the Dredge Lakes area, there are black bears in the area in the fall. Make lots of noise, stay in groups, and keep your dogs on leash and you should have no problems.

Anglers should please note that in all drainages crossed by the Juneau road system (including Dredge Lakes area), as well as saltwaters adjacent to the Juneau road system to a line ¼ mile offshore, cutthroat and rainbow trout bag limits (in combination) are 2 daily, 2 in possession with a 14 inch minimum and 22 inch maximum size limit. Dolly Varden limits are 2 daily, 2 in possession, no size limit. Anglers should be sure to check the 2019 Southeast Alaska Sportfish Regulation Summary for special regulations specific to the stream or lake where they intend to fish. Several areas are closed to fishing and most in most areas only unbaited, artificial lures and flies may be used year-round, except for Fish Creek pond, Twin Lakes, and Salmon Creek Reservoir.

For additional information, or questions, please contact the Division of Sport Fish Region 1 office in Juneau at (907) 465-4270

Regulations

Coho Salmon

Marine Waters

  • The limit for all anglers is 6 per day and 12 in possession

Freshwater drainages crossed by the Juneau Road System

  • The limit for all anglers is 2 per day and 2 in possession

King Salmon in the marine waters near Juneau:

Alaska residents:

  • The bag and possession limit is TWO king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. No annual limit.

Nonresidents:

  • The nonresident bag and possession limit is ONE king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length; annual limit of ONE king salmon and any king salmon harvested earlier in 2019 apply toward the one fish annual harvest limit.
  • Immediately upon retaining a king salmon a nonresident must enter the species, date and location, in ink, on the back of their sport fishing license or on a nontransferable harvest record.

Archives

Juneau Area Archives for:
Oct 11, 2019 Sep 27, 2019 Sep 06, 2019 Aug 16, 2019 Aug 05, 2019 Jul 18, 2019 Jul 03, 2019 Jun 21, 2019
Jun 14, 2019 May 24, 2019 May 06, 2019 Apr 08, 2019

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