Area Sport Fishing Reports
Petersburg

June 30, 2025

King Salmon

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced a regional closure for king salmon retention for nonresident anglers starting July 7^th. This will impact all waters in the Petersburg/Wrangell Management Area except for the Wrangell Narrows portion of the Terminal Harvest Area (closes August 15^th) and City Creek (closes July 14^th). This closure is necessary in order to not exceed the 2025 sport allocation of king salmon. Traditionally king salmon catches peak around the third week in June, so if you have not gotten out there now is the time. The Blind Slough/Wrangell Narrows Terminal Hatchery Fishery has been ongoing since May 15th. The majority of marine waters in the Petersburg/Wrangell area are currently open to king salmon retention with the exception being waters adjacent to the Stikine River. There are separate regulations for the Blind Slough/Wrangell Narrows Terminal Harvest Area, City Creek, and the remainder of the region. Please see the Advisory Announcement on our website for maps and more specific information about each of these locations. Remember that a king salmon stamp is required whenever fishing for king salmon (including catch and release).

Halibut

Halibut move up into into shallow waters over the summer. Anglers have been successfully targeting halibut in recent weeks. As the summer progresses you might try fishing offshore of a salmon stream outlet as halibut often eat the fish flushed from the stream after spawning. Anglers can fish the slack tides with heavy duty gear using either whole or cut herring for bait

The Halibut sport fishery is open February 1 – December 31, 2025. Reminder: Filleting halibut: No person shall possess on board a vessel, including charter vessels and pleasure craft used for fishing, halibut that have been filleted, mutilated, or otherwise disfigured in any manner, except that each halibut may be cut into no more than 2 ventral pieces, 2 dorsal pieces, and 2 cheek pieces, with enough skin on each piece to identify whether the piece is from the light side or the dark side of the fish.

Lingcod

Residents are allowed a daily bag limit of 1; 2 in possession. Nonresidents are allowed a daily bag limit of 1; 1 in possession; 30-35 inches or 55 inches and longer. There is an annual limit of 2 fish, 1 of which is 30-35 inches in length, and 1 that is 55 inches or greater in length. A harvest record is required. The Northern Southeast Area is closed to nonresidents for lingcod fishing from June 15 - August 15, 2025.

Rockfish

Rockfish regulations have changed since the last fishing season. The retention of demersal shelf rockfish, including yelloweye, is open for residents of Alaska with a daily bag limit of 1; 2 in possession. Demersal shelf rockfish, including yelloweye, will be open for nonresidents from July 1 through August 25 with an annual limit of 1 fish. Slope Rockfish are open to resident and nonresidents with a daily bag limit of 1; 1 in possession. Pelagic Rockfish are open to resident and nonresidents with a daily bag limit of 3; 6 in possession. A helpful species identification guide has been published on the ADFG website. Anglers are reminded that a rockfish release device is now required to be used whenever releasing rockfish, and a rockfish release device must be onboard your vessel whenever sport fishing in marine waters.

Dolly Varden and Trout

Dolly Varden and trout remain abundant throughout the creeks. Often overlooked by anglers with their sites on salmon, these smaller fish can offer plenty of fun on lighter tackle. July is a good time to catch these fish, though depending where you are at you might have to avoid the pink salmon that will fill the streams.

Creel Samplers

Alaska Department of Fish and Game creel samplers have been on the public docks since mid-May approaching anglers to ask about their catch. The biological samples they collect are used to help manage and sustain a healthy stock required for recreational angling. Please be courteous and provide them with the few minutes needed to gather this important information.