Area Sport Fishing Reports
Sitka
Archived Sport Fishing Report
October 16, 2019
Sitka
An excellent resource for planning a trip to Sitka is the gofishak interactive map which provides information on fishing locations, species run timing, fishing gear and angler access.
For further information, please feel free to contact the Sitka Area sportfish management staff at (907) 747-5355.
The next fishing report will be released in November.
Marine Fisheries:
King Salmon
King salmon are available during winter months, but expect low catch rates. Kings are usually caught trolling or mooching herring, or trolling hoochies and spoons. Catch rates should continue to be low overall throughout the late fall and winter months.
Halibut
Halibut fishing should still be decent in the Sitka area. Halibut can be found in inside waters outside river mouths and in the usual locations in outside waters. Catch rates will decline until winter.
Lingcod
Lingcod fishing is still good. Try fishing near pinnacles and rocky structure with large whole herring, or large lead/rubber or metal jigs. Deeper water in Sitka Sound from 200-400 feet have lingcod as well.
Rockfish
Fishing for rockfish is open and has been excellent.
Freshwater Fisheries:
Bait will be allowed in most freshwaters (see exceptions in Summary Regulation Book) starting on Sunday, September 15th through Friday, November 16th.
Silver Salmon
Silver salmon are currently spawning in most Sitka area streams. Streams that might still have some fresh silvers include Katlian and Nakwasina rivers. Try casting spinners or spoons or using brightly colored flies. Eggs floated under a bobber is another effective set-up for fishing silvers. Early morning and dusk are the preferred times to target silvers as they get spooked during the bright daylight.
Dolly Varden and Rainbow/Cutthroat Trout
Dolly Varden and trout can be targeted year-round. Sitka has a few streams and lakes that have resident species available such as Indian River, Thimbleberry lake and Heart Lake. Fishing is excellent right now with salmon currently spawning in most freshwaters. Try using spinners, spoons, or flies mimicking juvenile salmon, leeches, or eggs/flesh.