Area Sport Fishing Reports
Petersburg

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 22, 2018

Coho Salmon

Coho salmon are regularly being intercepted in the marine sport fishery. Catch rates have continued to increase but have remained below the 5 year average. On average coho salmon marine catch rates begin to decline with the start of September as coho move toward their natal streams.

Freshwater fishing for coho salmon is starting to pick up as anglers begin to encounter returning coho in local streams and lakes in increasing numbers. Freshwater fishing opportunity typically peaks in the month of September for most systems in the area.

King Salmon

King salmon catch rates have slowed as the season winds into fall. Anglers may continue to intercept king salmon throughout the year 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.

Note that resident anglers may use two rods while fishing for king salmon during the winter season between October 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019.

Anglers are reminded that freshwater fishing for king salmon is closed throughout the region with the exception of Blind Slough.

Shrimp

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.