Area Sport Fishing Reports
Sitka

June 25, 2025

Sitka Fishing Report

Salmon

King salmon fishing has been good with anglers reporting in many areas around Sitka – including the typical locations (Biorka, Vitskari, and off Kruzof). Kings are also returning to the Medvejie Hatchery and Silver Bay. Currently, there are no special regulations for kings returning to Medvejie or Silver Bay (regional regulations apply). There is a small area near the barrier net behind the net pens at Medvejie that is now closed to fishing in order to allow hatchery staff access to broodstock. Signs are posted. Resident Anglers are allowed one king daily with no annual limit. Nonresident anglers are allowed one per day, with an annual limit of one fish.

For other salmon: Coho are starting to show up offshore and there have been reports of them being large for this early. Chum have also recently shown in Sitka Sound in force. Sockeye salmon are starting off strong. As of 6/25, over 1,700 have passed through the Redoubt Weir. It’s still early for Pink Salmon.

Fishing in the EEZ

One of the substantial changes for fishing this year is that resident anglers must comply with nonresident fishing regulations when fishing in the EEZ. The EEZ or Exclusive Economic Zone is the water that is generally from 3 miles offshore out to 200 miles. There are some exceptions to this (like Sitka Sound) where there’s an imaginary line that cuts across the sound from offshore of Biorka to Cape Edgcumbe. There are maps depicting this in the 2025 regulatory summary on p. 10 and posted at most of the harbors. While this doesn’t affect nonresidents (there is no differentiation between state waters and the EEZ for nonresidents) resident anglers must comply with nonresident regulations when fishing in the EEZ. This includes any size, bag, or annual limits. Further, anglers may not be in possession of a fish that would be otherwise illegal to possess in the waters in which they are fishing. For example, if a resident angler caught a 45 inch lingcod in state waters (after May 15^th), they could not then go out to the EEZ and fish for any species because nonresident anglers are limited to one lingcod between 30 and 35 inches.

Resident anglers are subject to and must record any harvest of species that has an annual limit when fishing in the EEZ. This will include king salmon, lingcod, and demersal shelf rockfish in addition to steelhead and sharks (which must be recorded in state waters as well).

Halibut

Fishing for halibut is open. Fishing for halibut is good and stays relatively consistent through the summer. These fish will begin to show up in greater numbers as weather warms and other fisheries move more inshore. See NOAA for sport fishing regulations.

Lingcod

Lingcod fishing has been good and is open for residents (no size limit) through November 15^th. For nonresidents, lingcod is currently closed, but will reopen on August 16^th and will have a 30-35 inch slot limit.

Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR)

In 2025, Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR) is open year-round for residents. Residents are allowed one fish daily with no annual limit (in State Waters). Nonresidents are allowed one DSR annually from July 1-August 25. Here’s a helpful rockfish Id link to common rockfish groups. DSR are a subset of nonpelagic rockfish including: Canary, China, Copper, Quillback, Rosethorn, Tiger, and Yelloweye.

Slope Rockfish

All anglers are allowed one daily, two in possession all year with no annual limit. The most common slope rockfish include: Redbanded, Rougheye, Silvergray, Shortraker, and Vermilion.

Pelagic Rockfish

Fishing for pelagic rockfish is open all year and typically good year-round. The most commonly caught pelagic rockfish in the Sitka Area are the Black, Yellowtail, and Dusky. Try fishing around underwater structures near kelp beds with a dart or jig. These rockfish make for excellent table fare.

Anglers are allowed 3 daily, 6 in possession, with the exception of CSEO (Sitka Area), where nonresidents are allowed two daily, four in possession. See the Sitka Area Special Exceptions for a map of CSEO on page 25 of the 2025 Southeast Regulation Summary. The department has developed a guide to assist anglers in identifying species groupings. If you’d like a copy of this on waterproof paper, stop by the office for a free one.

Shellfish

Be sure to check your local fishing regulations to be aware of harvest limits, size requirements and necessary permits for shellfish. Also be aware that certain types of shellfish in Southeast Alaska have been known to cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) which can be fatal. For Dungeness crab, try placing pots in bays and around the mouths of river where crabs congregate to feed. If fishing with friends, be sure to keep each angler’s catch separate to avoid pooling bag limits.

Check out the new gofishak interactive map to discover popular fishing locations and information on species run timing, fishing gear selections, and boat and angler access tips!

For further information, please feel free to contact the Sitka area sportfish management staff at (907)747-5355.