Area Sport Fishing Reports
Sitka

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 15, 2020

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.

Marine Fisheries:

King Salmon

As of June 15th the bag and possession limit for King Salmon has been increased to 3 for Alaska residents. Non-residents are allowed one King salmon a day, with the annual limit increased to 4. All king salmon must be 28 inches or greater in length.

King fishing continues to be productive for private anglers this year with charter effort beginning to pick up. Based on marine sport catch sampling, more fish are being caught and requiring less effort than previous weeks. During the marine catch sampling period of June 8th through June 14th, king salmon were harvested primarily from Outer Sitka Sound, Vitskari Rocks, and Salisbury sound. King salmon fishing in Sitka area waters should continue to improve through late June.

Salmon

Several other salmon runs are beginning to return to Sitka. In the past week anglers have spotted Pinks, Chum, and Coho, though each in very low numbers. As the season progresses, these fish will begin to seen in much greater numbers as they move closer to shore.

Halibut

Halibut fishing has been slow for private anglers, but this is likely due to most anglers focusing on the king run. During the marine catch sampling period of June 8th through June 14th most halibut were harvested off of Cape Edgecumbe and in Salisbury Sound. Halibut fishing in Sitka area waters typically begins to pick up by late June or early July.

Lingcod

Sport fishing for lingcod has been average this season. Try fishing near pinnacles and structure with large lead/rubber or metal jigs.

Rockfish

In 2020 Demersal Shelf Rockfish fishing is closed. This subset of nonpelagic rockfish includes Yelloweye, Quillback, China, Tiger, Rosethorn, Copper, and Canary. Fishing for slope rockfish and pelagic species is still open year-round. The department has developed a guide to assist anglers in identifying species groupings here: https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/home/pdfs/KeepDontKeepRockfish.pdf

As of 2020, anglers are required to use a rockfish release device to return rockfish that are not harvested to the depth of capture or 100 feet, whichever is shallower. Please see the “Southeast Alaska Sport Fish Regulation Summary” or visit your local ADF&G office to see examples of rockfish release devices and learn about their use.

Shellfish

Be sure to check your local fishing regulations to be aware of harvest limits and size requirements for shellfish. Be aware that certain types of shellfish in Southeast Alaska have been known to cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) which can be fatal.

Anglers shrimp fishing are required to obtain a free permit for sport, personal use and subsistence shrimp harvest for each calendar year. 2020 Southeast Shrimp Permits are available online at the ADF&G store or at your local ADF&G office. The shrimp harvest, location, and number of pots pulled must be recorded each day, and the permit must be returned to ADF&G or reported online at the end of the year.

Freshwater Fisheries:

Dolly Varden and Rainbow/Cutthroat Trout

Dolly Varden and Rainbow/cutthroat trout can be targeted year-round and are actively feeding as the water warms up. Fishing is fair right now in fresh waters and also near mouths of streams. Dolly Varden, rainbow trout, and other resident species target pink and chum fry as they migrate and exit streams.

There are also several lakes on the Sitka Road System that contain rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout, as well as grayling and Dolly Varden see the interactive map for more details.

Archives

Sitka Area Archives for:
Nov 04, 2020 Sep 09, 2020 Aug 24, 2020 Aug 05, 2020 Aug 03, 2020 Jul 13, 2020 Jul 09, 2020 Jun 22, 2020
Jun 15, 2020 Jun 08, 2020 May 14, 2020 Feb 18, 2020 Jan 06, 2020

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