Area Sport Fishing Reports
Petersburg

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 10, 2018

Coho Salmon

Coho salmon are now regularly being intercepted in the marine sport fishery. Catch rates have continued to increase as we are entering the time period when our highest marine catch rates historically occur during mid-August. Anglers can expect marine catch rates to continue to improve over the next few weeks. Preliminary data suggests coho catch rates remain below the 5 year average at this point in time and similar to catch rates during 2014.

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

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 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 fishing opportunity for Alaska hatchery king salmon in the Wrangell Narrows terminal harvest area and City Creek release site 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 28 inches or greater and two king salmon less than 28 inches in length.
• 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.

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 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 during the summer months but will move into freshwater as salmon begin spawing, taking advantage of loose salmon eggs as a food source. This time of year anglers may find excellent fishing opportunity in nearshore marine environments and increasingly in freshwater. Try fishing along cutbanks, confluences, pools and around large woody debri for fast-paced action.