Area Sport Fishing Reports
Sitka
Archived Sport Fishing Report
June 03, 2022
Guides and businesses don’t forget to register for 2022! You can register online at the ADF&G Store. As of 2021, all Southeast saltwater guides are required to use an eLogbook.
Kid’s Fishing Day will be June 11 at Swan Lake. Grab your junior fish slayers and come on down for fun, sun (fingers crossed), and prizes!
Salmon
King salmon
Fishing has kicked off for the season, with anglers reporting varied amounts of success. As we progress later into June fishing should only improve. The Sitka Salmon Derby is underway with one final weekend left (June 4-5) to take a shot at winning big. The current front runner is 40.2 lbs., so use some of this nice weather to go see if you can scare up something bigger!
The traditional hot spots are good places to start if the weather allows – Vitskari, Cape Edgcumbe, and Biorka. Early in the season, kings seem to be available closer in the Sound as well.
Groundfish
Halibut
Fishing has begun to pick up and will only get better as the season continues. Try anchoring up and getting as much scent in the water as you can.
Lingcod
The season is open as of May 16 and will run through November. Try fishing around the structure and using a leadheaded jig to thump the bottom. No size limit for residents, but for nonresidents, the slot limit has increased a bit from previous years to allow more opportunities. For 2022 it is 30-40 inches.
Rockfish
Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR)
In 2022, Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR) has opened to provide opportunities for residents. Resident anglers are allowed one DSR rockfish daily, one in possession, EXCLUDING YELLOWEYE. DSR is a subset of nonpelagic rockfish including Yelloweye, Quillback, China, Tiger, Rosethorn, Copper, and Canary.
Slope Rockfish
All anglers are allowed one slope rockfish daily, one in possession. The most common slope rockfish include Redbanded, Rougheye, Silvergray, Shortraker, and Vermilion.
Pelagic Rockfish
Pelagic rockfish is open year-round. Anglers are allowed 5 daily, 10 in possession, with the exception of CSEO (Sitka Area), where non-residents are allowed 3 daily, 6 in possession. See the Sitka Area Special Exceptions for a map of CSEO on page 23 of the Southeast regulation summary.
The department has developed a guide to assist anglers in identifying species groupings.
Fishing for rockfish is good all year. Try fishing around the underwater structures of off-kelp beds with a dart or jig. These rockfish make for excellent table fare in the winter when salmon are harder to come by.
Shellfish
Be sure to check your local fishing regulations to be aware of harvest limits and size requirements and necessary permits for shellfish. Also, be aware that certain types of shellfish in Southeast Alaska have been known to cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) which can be fatal.
For Dungeness crab, try placing pots in bays and around the mouths of rivers where crabs congregate to feed. If fishing with friends, be sure to keep each angler’s catch separate to avoid pooling bag limits.
Freshwater
Dolly Varden and Rainbow/Cutthroat trout can be targeted year-round in freshwaters. Try fishing around structures in the stream but be careful not to lose your lure. These fish make for a fun fight and don’t require a boat to get good access.
There are several lakes on the Sitka Road System that contain rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout, as well as grayling and Dolly Varden.
Check out the new gofishak interactive map to discover popular fishing locations and information on species run timing, fishing gear selections, and boat and angler access tips!
For further information, please feel free to contact the Sitka area sportfish management staff at (907) 747-5355.