Area Sport Fishing Reports
Sitka

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 01, 2017

Nonpelagic Rockfish Closure

Anglers are reminded that August 1 through August 21, 2017 retention of nonpelagic rockfish is prohibited in all Southeast Outside Waters. All vessels in Southeast Outside waters during this time must have a functional deep water release device on board while fishing (regardless of target species) and all nonpelagic rockfish must be released at a depth of catpure or at least 100 feet.

King Salmon

King salmon fishing in Sitka area waters is good, but starting to slow some. Good catches are being seen all around the area, with Cape Edgecumbe, Biorka, Shelikof, and Vitskari Rocks producing good numbers of fish.

The 2017 King salmon regulations are effective until May 1, 2018 and are as follows:

• Alaskan Resident
  • The resident bag and possession limit is two king salmon 28 inches or greater in length.
  • There is no annual limit for Alaska resident anglers.
• Nonresident
  • The nonresident bag and possession limit is one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length
  • The nonresident annual limit is three king salmon 28 inches or greater in length.
  • Nonresident anglers shall immediately record, in ink, all king salmon harvested either on the back of their sportfishing license or on a nontransferable harvest record.

Coho Salmon

Coho salmon fishing in the marine waters offshore is in full swing. Some coho have begun to enter the fresh waters in the Sitka area. Limits of coho are not uncommon. The resident and nonresident daily bag limit is six coho salmon, 12 in possession.

Steelhead

The spring steelhead season is over.

Generally associated with stream systems with lakes, the Sitka area has several locations with steelhead. Steelhead in the Sitka area generally enter freshwater streams to spawn during May. See the Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulatory summary for addition information on fishing for steelhead in freshwaters.

Dolly Varden and Trout

There are several great locations for trout and Dolly Varden fishing in the Sitka Area. Dolly Varden and trout can be targeted year round but are most active in the spring months.

When fishing for trout be sure to check the "2017 Southeast Alaska Sport Fish Regulation Summary" to understand regulations for the waterbody you intend to fish. Regulations regarding size limits, bag limits and the use of bait can vary by waterbody.

Halibut

• Season: February 1- December 31
• Unguided anglers may catch and retain two halibut per day - no size limit, four in possession.
• Charter vessel anglers may catch and retain one halibut per day, which must be less than or equal to 44 inches or greater than or equal to 80 inches in total length. Unguided anglers may retain two halibut of any size.
• Charter operators and crew members may not retain halibut while clients are on board the vessel.
• The Sitka Sound Special Use Area is closed to the retention of halibut by chartered anglers between June 1 and August 31.

Lingcod

Size limits vary between Yakutat, Northern Southeast and Southern Southeast areas. For a description of these boundaries, please review area emergency orders.

• Northern Southeast area (including the Sitka area):
  • Season: May 16 – November 30
• Limits:
  • Resident – one daily two in possession, no size limit.
  • Nonresident – one daily, one in possession, size limit: 30 inches or greater in length and less than 35 inches in length, or 55 inches or greater in length. Annual limit of two fish, one of which is 30 to 35 inches in length, one of which is 55 inches or greater in length, nonresident anglers shall immediately record, in ink, all lingcod harvested either on the back of their sport fishing license or on a nontransferable harvest record.
  • Charter operators and crew members may not retain lingcod while clients are on board the vessel.

Rockfish

• Season: year round (excludimg the August 1-21, 2017 closure).
• All nonpelagic rockfish caught must be retained until the daily bag limit is reached.
• Daily bag and possession limits vary between southeast outside waters and southeast inside waters. For a description of these boundaries, please review area emergency orders. Persons sport fishing from a charter vessel when releasing nonpelagic rockfish, (e.g. after an angler reaches their bag limit), must be in possession of, and utilize a deep water release mechanism to return the fish to the depth it was hooked or to a depth of at least 100 feet. Charter operators and crew members may not retain nonpelagic rockfish while clients are on board the vessel.

All Southeast Waters:

• Pelagic Rockfish- In the Sitka Area- three per day; six in possession.
• Resident – One non-pelagic rockfish daily; possession limit of one fish.
• Nonresident – One non-pelagic rockfish daily; possession limit of one fish; with an annual limit of one yelloweye rockfish.
• Nonresident anglers must immediately record all yelloweye rockfish harvested, in ink, either on the back of their sport fishing license, or on a nontransferable harvest record.

Southeast Outside Waters (including the Sitka Area):

• Nonpelagic rockfish fishing closed August 1 through August 21, 2017. All anglers fishing from a vessel in Southeast Outside waters during this time must have a functional deep water release mechanism on board (regardless of target species) and all anglers must release nonpelagic rockfish at depth of capture or at least 100 feet using a deep water release mechanism.

Regulation summaries and copies of the most recent regulatory changes are available at the Sitka ADF&G office.

For further information, please feel free to contact the Sitka area management biologist: Troy Tydingco (907) 747-5379