Area Sport Fishing Reports
Petersburg

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 15, 2018

King Salmon

Additional marine waters in the Petersburg and Wrangell area are now open to the harvest of king salmon beginning June 15th. In these areas the regional bag and possession limits apply:

• The bag and possession limit (residents and nonresidents) is one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length.
• For nonresidents an annual harvest limit applies:
  • From January 1 through June 30 the annual limit is three king salmon;
  • From July 1 through December 31 the annual limit is one king salmon.

Please see the news release for more information and maps of area boundaries. Immediately upon landing and retaining a king salmon a nonresident must record the species, date, and location, in ink, on the back of their sport fishing license or harvest record card.

Waters adjacent to the Stikine River

King salmon may not be retained in the marine waters adjacent to the Stikine River (district 8 and a small portion of district 7, in Eastern Passage) until July 15. Please see the news release announcing king salmon restrictions in the Petersburg/Wrangell area issued March 29, 2018 for more information and maps of area boundaries.

Hatchery king salmon areas near Petersburg and Wrangell

King salmon harvest opportunity in hatchery terminal areas including Anita Bay, Blind Slough-Wrangell Narrows, and City Creek are now open and special bag and possession limits apply in these areas. Please see the link to the news release at the bottom of this page for bag and possession limits and boundaries for these areas. Preliminary marine creel survey information indicates fair catch rates over the last two weeks in the Blind Slough Wrangell Narrows Terminal area, consistent with the preseason forecast for king salmon returning to this area.

Shrimp

Anglers will be required to obtain a free permit for sport, personal use and subsistence shrimp harvest beginning Monday June 25th, 2018. Permits are available online at the ADF&G store https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/Store/ or at your local ADF&G office.

Halibut

Halibut catch rates are increasing in local marine waters. While anecdotal information suggests slower than average catch rates at this point in the season, halibut catch rates typically increase as the summer progresses.

Dolly Varden and Cutthroat trout

This is an excellent time to target Dolly Varden and Cutthroat trout in nearshore marine waters. These species often feed along nearshore marine environments as juvenile salmon exit their freshwater habitat and utilize nearshore habitat in their first months at sea.

Freshwater fishing for cutthroat and Dolly Varden can also be excellent this time of year as water temperatures are warming and fish are active. Try fishing along cutbanks, confluences, pools and around large woody debri for fast paced action.