Area Sport Fishing Reports
Petersburg
Archived Sport Fishing Report
March 03, 2021
Spring fishing is just around the corner! For all you anglers that are anxious to get out fishing, here are some early season opportunities.
Winter King Salmon
Although catch rates are slower during the winter, king salmon can be caught year round in the Petersburg/Wrangell area. Alaska residents can even use two rods per person until March 31 to help increase your chances. Anglers should get out to fish while they can since most of the area will be closed to retention of king salmon begining April 1, 2021. Please see the advisory announcement issued March 2, 2021 for a full description of king salmon management actions along with maps. The following king salmon regulations are now in effect, unless superseded by subsequent emergency order:
Alaska resident:
- Daily bag and possession limit of 3 king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. No annual limit.
- From October 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021 a resident angler may use two rods when fishing for king salmon, a person using two rods under this regulation may only retain salmon.
Nonresident:
- Daily bag and possession limit of 1 king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length;
- The nonresident annual limit is 4 king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.
Steelhead
The time for spring steelhead will be here soon, it’s time to tie your fly’s and make sure your gear is ready to go. Anglers can find opportunity for steelhead as early as mid March but will continue to get better and better through April. The peak of fishery typically occurs in late April while most local streams are spawning in early May. Anglers may also entice a Dolly Varden or Cutthroat trout from their winter habitat during this time
When planning your next trip, check out our online 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 locations.
Rockfish
Anglers are reminded that a rockfish release device is now required to be used whenever releasing rockfish and the release device must be onboard your vessel whenever sport fishing in marine waters.
Pelagic rockfish regulations continue to have 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.