Area Sport Fishing Reports
Petersburg

April 15, 2024

Steelhead

The steelhead fishing season is happening and anglers are reporting good early catches. This could be due to an earlier than normal season or simply a sign of a strong season that spans a larger timeframe. Currently the creeks are low and we could use some rain. Still, while the water is cold and there’s sun in the forecast I encourage you to get outside and head to your favorite creek. As the water warms slightly you might expect the fishing to get even better. We are entering the best three weeks starting now.

Dolly Varden and Trout

Dolly Varden and trout will become more aggressive chasing your bait as the ice comes off the lakes and the water temperatures start to rise. Dolly Varden and trout are found in many places in the streams and are likely to bite while stripping line or running a jig through a hole with a spinning rod. Other observations include emerging juvenile salmon, which Dolly Varden will be feeding upon.

King Salmon

The vast majority of marine waters in the Petersburg/Wrangell area are currently closed to king salmon retention. Opportunity to harvest king salmon will be available in areas where Alaska hatchery produced king salmon will be returning beginning June 1, 2024. Advisory Announcements for individual hatcheries are available on our website. Remember that a king salmon stamp is required whenever fishing for king salmon (including catch and release).

Halibut

Halibut can be targeted this time of year and anglers have reported some recent success. The sport fishery is open February 1 – December 31, 2024. 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

Sport fishing for lingcod is currently closed in all Southeast Alaska waters but will open on May 16. Nonresident bag and possession limits have changed since last year. Limits: 1 per day, 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, harvest record is required. Alaskan Resident bag and possession remain – 1 daily, 2 in possession, no size limit.

Rockfish

Rockfish regulations have remained in place since the last fishing season. Pelagic rockfish regulations remain the same with a daily bag limit of 5 and possession limit of 10 in the Petersburg, Wrangell, and Kake area. Slope and demersal shelf rockfish species both have a daily bag limit of one fish and possession limit of 2 for Alaska residents. Demersal shelf rockfish are closed to retention for nonresidents anglers and yelloweye are closed to retention for all anglers. 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.