Area Sport Fishing Reports
Petersburg

Archived Sport Fishing Report

April 19, 2021

Spring is in the air and streams are full of snow melt this week! Just as plants are beginning to bloom on land, the aquatic environment will become more active as water temperatures warm and sunlight feeds the phytoplankton.

Steelhead

Due to the late winter this year, steelhead anglers are finding snow on the bank and cold water temperatures when compared to recent years. Expect steelhead run timing to be a little delayed this year as a prolonged snow melt keeps water temperatures cool. Even with a little slower start to the season now is the time to get out and fish for the majestical steelhead. Anglers can expect bright fish to begin moving into freshwater systems over the new few weeks. The peak of fishery typically occurs in late April while most local streams are spawning in early May, but this might be week or two later this year. 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

Rockfish can be found year-round in marine waters and can be a great way to start your fishing season. Rockfish are managed by species groups with different bag and possession limits depending on the species. A helpful species identification guide is available 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 the release device must be on board your vessel whenever sport fishing in marine waters.

Demersal shelf rockfish (including yelloweye): closed to retention.

Pelagic rockfish: a daily bag limit of 5 and possession limit of 10 in the Petersburg/Wrangell/Kake area.

Slope rockfish: daily bag and possession limit of 1.

King Salmon

King salmon is now closed to retention for most of the Petersburg/Wrangell management area. Beginning June 1, the opportunity for king salmon will be available in selected areas where Alaska hatchery king salmon will be returning including the Wrangell Narrows and Anita Bay. Please see the advisory announcement issued March 2, 2021, for a description of king salmon management actions along with maps of open areas.

If fishing in waters where king salmon retention is allowed (the outer coast of Prince of Wales). 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.

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.

Archives

Petersburg Area Archives for:
Aug 02, 2021 Jul 19, 2021 Jun 22, 2021 May 07, 2021 Apr 19, 2021 Mar 25, 2021 Mar 03, 2021

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