Area Sport Fishing Reports
Petersburg

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 24, 2020

King Salmon

Now is the time for king salmon! With the opening of much of our local waters on June 15, many anglers are enjoying time on the water targeting king salmon. The regional king salmon regulations have been updated as of June 15th, increasing opportunity for anglers. The current regional king salmon regulations are listed below:

Alaska resident:

  • Daily bag and possession limit of 3 king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.

Nonresident:

  • Daily bag and possession limit of 1 king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.
  • Annual limit of 4 king salmon. Anglers are reminded that, when harvesting any species which has an annual limit they must immediately record the species, date, and location on their sport fishing license or on a harvest record card.

Nonretention Area: King salmon remains closed to retention in waters adjacent to the Stikine River (District 8) through July 14. Please see the most recent advisory announcement for a map with boundary descriptions: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/EONR/index.cfm?ADFG=region.NR&Year=2020&NRID=2958

Hatchery Areas: Special regulations apply in the hatchery areas of Blind Slough/Wrangell Narrows and the City Creek release site. Please see the advisory announcement below for regulations in these hatchery areas: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/EONR/index.cfm?ADFG=region.NR&Year=2020&NRID=2938

If you are looking for a roadside fishing opportunity king salmon are now arriving in force within the freshwaters of Blind Slough.

Dolly Varden and Trout

Now is a great time to fish for Dolly Varden and trout. In freshwater streams and lakes these species are active and aggressive. Try fishing around log jams, cut banks, eddy lines and confluences for some fast paced action. Check out our interactive map at wefishak for the Petersburg and Wrangell area to discover popular fishing locations and information on species run timing, fishing gear selections, and boat and angler access tips.

Dolly Varden and coastal cutthroat can also be found in marine nearshore areas as they cruise the shorelines, often feeding on juvenile salmon. Anglers may try fishing nearshore areas around the outlet of streams, within harbors and other marine shorelines.

Halibut

Anglers have been reporting good success rates when fishing for halibut. Typically, halibut catch rates increase as we progress into the summer and peak in the early fall.

Lingcod

The sport fishery for lingcod is now open. Nonresident anglers are reminded that size limits are different between northern and southern Southeast Alaska. Please refer to the advisory announcement addressing lingcod to review the regulations for the area you intend to fish. For residents, lingcod regulations are the same across Southeast with a bag limit of 1 daily and 2 in possession with no size limit.

Rockfish

There have been some changes to rockfish regulations since last fishing season. Pelagic rockfish regulations remain the same with a daily bag limit of 5 and possession limit of 10 in the Petersburg, Wrangell, and Kake area. Slope rockfish species now have a daily bag and possession limit of 1. The demersal shelf rockfish species are closed to retention (including yelloweye). A helpful species identification guide has been published on the ADFG website. Please see current emergency orders for a full description of these management actions.

Anglers are reminded that a rockfish release device is now required to be used whenever releasing rockfish and a rockfish release device must be onboard your vessel whenever sport fishing in marine waters.

* Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing the current State of Alaska Health Mandates in effect. This includes practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing and wearing a face covering when fishing and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.

Archives

Petersburg Area Archives for:
Oct 01, 2020 Sep 09, 2020 Aug 25, 2020 Jul 27, 2020 Jul 15, 2020 Jul 01, 2020 Jun 24, 2020 Jun 15, 2020
May 29, 2020 Apr 21, 2020 Jan 08, 2020

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