Area Sport Fishing Reports
Yakutat

September 18, 2025

Freshwaters

Coho Salmon

Coho fishing is good to excellent right now in all freshwaters of the YMA. The rains that started last week have raised water levels and moved fish upstream in most drainages. Fish are spread throughout the Situk. Water levels are high but not unfishable. The forescast calls for more rain so keep an eye on water levels before trying to cross.

Saltwaters

King Salmon

Sportfishing for king salmon is open in Yakutat area marine waters. Fishing for kings has slowed dramatically as the bay has been flooded with coho salmon. Most anglers troll spoons or herring behind a flasher. Please check the department website below for the recent emergency order and advisory announcements regarding 2025 regional king salmon regulations for Southeast Alaska.

Coho (Silver) Salmon

Fishing for coho salmon in the salt water continues to be excellent in the Yakutat area. Most of the action has been had near Point Munoz, Point Carrew, and Ocean Cape, but anglers continue to catch coho back inside the islands and in Ankau Lagoon. Weather conditions have pushed alot of anglers inside so use caution when boating out to open water locations. Most coho are caught trolling with herring, spoons, or hoochies, but anglers can also mooch with herring once they find the fish or jig with small darts.

Halibut

Halibut fishing has been spotty the last couple of weeks. We are winding down the season here and with it increased marginal weather events will limit fishing for bottomfish. Anglers are anchoring up and soaking herring/octopus/salmon heads on circle hooks or using baited jigs as they drift.

Lingcod

Lingcod fishing is open in the Yakutat area. Fishing should be good. Please check the department website for the recent emergency order and advisory annoucements regarding changes to lingcod regulations in the Yakutat management area. Using a variety of jigs (lead-head, dart) over rocky structures is the best method for catching lingcod, although a double snelled octopus hook set-up baited with herring works well too.

Rockfish

Fishing for rockfish is good in the Yakutat area. Dart jigs or mooching with herring over rocky pinnacles works best. Please check the department website for the recent emergency order and advisory annoucements regarding changes to rockfish regulations in 2025 for Southeast Alaska.

For further information, please get in touch with the Yakutat Area Sport Fish management biologist Jason Pawluk at (907) 784-3222.

Emergency orders can be found on our website.

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!