Area Sport Fishing Reports
Petersburg

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 01, 2018

King Salmon

King salmon catch rates are slowing as the season winds down. Anglers may continue to intercept king salmon in marine waters although at reduced catch rates. As of August 1, the following king salmon regulations apply for all marine waters in the Petersburg and Wrangell areas:

• The bag and possession limit (residents and nonresidents) is one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length.
• For nonresidents the annual harvest limit is now one king salmon, nonresident anglers are reminded to record their king salmon harvest on the back of their fishing license or harvest record card.

Please note the more liberal regulations to provide opportunity for Alaska hatchery king salmon in the Wrangell Narrows terminal harvest area and City Creek release have now expired. In the freshwaters of Blind Slough the following regulations remain in effect:

• The bag and possession limit for residents is two king salmon greater than 28” and two king salmon less than 28”.
• The nonresident annual limit of one king salmon now applies in Blind Slough. Nonresident anglers are reminded to record their king salmon harvest on the back of their fishing license or harvest record card.

Coho Salmon

Coho salmon catch rates have continued to increase and are regularly being intercepted in the sport fishery now. Coho catch rates are strongest on the outside waters but steadily improving on inside waters as coho salmon continue to migrate into our local waters. Anglers can expect marine catch rates to continue to improve over the next few weeks. 

It is still early for freshwater fishing for coho salmon but anglers may begin to encounter the first few returning coho in local streams and lakes. Freshwater fishing opporuntiy typically peaks in September for most systems in this area.

Shrimp

NEW - Anglers are now required to obtain a free permit for sport, personal use, and subsistence shrimp harvest beginning Monday June 25, 2018. Print your own permit online at the ADF&G store or stop in at your local ADF&G office. This new permit requires anglers to report their harvest of shrimp and will allow ADF&G to collect more accurate shrimp harvest information from all noncommercial harvesters.

Halibut

Halibut catch rates have continued to increase with many anglers reporting successful fishing trips. Preliminary data suggests that catch rates remain slightly below the 5 year average at this point in time. Halibut catch rates typically increase throughout the late summer and into the early fall.

Dolly Varden and Cutthroat Trout

This is an excellent time to target Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout. 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 warm and fish are active. Try fishing along cutbanks, confluences, pools and around large woody debri for fast-paced action.