Area Sport Fishing Reports
Yakutat

September 4, 2024

Freshwaters

Salmon

Fishing for coho salmon or "silvers" on the Situk River is peaking right now. Anglers have been reporting good catches this past week, with the best success in the lower half of the river. The weather over the next few days is expected to raise the river level pretty good so fishing could be difficult from shore. Try using spinners or jigs with single hooks early in the morning or during the evening hours.

Pink salmon are winding down on the Situk River. The fish are well past being fresh but can still provide some entertainment. Try using anything with a single barbed hook that has color or dances around.

Saltwaters

King Salmon

Sportfishing for king salmon is CLOSED in Yakutat area marine waters. Fishing was closed effective Monday, August 26th. No king salmon may be retained and any king salmon caught must be released immediately.

Coho Salmon

Coho fishing continues to be good with limits being caught out near Ocean Cape, Point Munoz, and outside of Kahntaak Island. Fishing should be good inside the islands of Yakutat Bay for the next few weeks also as fish move along the shorelines. There are alot of storms forecasted this week which will make it difficult to get out to fish so be careful. Most anglers troll spoons or herring behind a flasher, or try mooching herring or jigging small dart jigs.

Halibut

Halibut fishing continues to be difficult with smaller fish being caught and more incliment weather making getting out to the grounds more difficult. Fishing success should start to decline with fish thinning out over the entire Yakutat Bay and along the coastline. For halibut, try sitting on anchor while using herring, salmon carcasses, or squid/octopus for bait, or try drifting with jigs baited with herring or unbaited.

Lingcod

Lingcod fishing is excellent in the Yakutat area. Lingcod are spread out throughout the area but like to hang out near rocky structures or pinnacles. Typically using herring as bait, or using any type of jig will work.

Rockfish

Fishing for black rockfish is excellent in the Yakutat area. The best location to catch them are along the pinnacles and rocky structures found underwater along the entrance to Yakutat Bay. Try using small dart jigs or mooching herring near shallow rocky structures.

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