Area Sport Fishing Reports
Yakutat

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 29, 2022

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!

Freshwaters

Sockeye Salmon

Sockeye salmon have started to slow significantly in the Situk River. Over 75k fish have passed the weir, but the last week saw less fish passing. Water levels continue to be high the past week making fishing more difficult. Anglers are reporting getting some fish but limits difficult to attain. The run seems to be on the decline and fishing may be better in the upper reaches above 9-mile bridge. Try using coho flies or single octopus hooks with brightly colored yarn attached, with split-shot weights positioned about 3-4 feet up from the hook. Try drifting your gear through holding waters or runs that have decent current to decrease the likelihood of snagging the fish.

King Salmon

King salmon fishing opened on the Situk River downstream of the weir on Sunday, July 24th, at 12:01am. The daily bag and possession limits are one king salmon 20 inches or greater in length and 10 king salmon less than 20 inches in length. Nonresident anglers have an annual limit of two fish over 20” in length. Fishing above the Situk River weir remains closed to the retention of king salmon. Any king salmon caught upstream of the weir must not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

Anglers are reminded that in order to sport fish for king salmon you must be in possession of a valid 2022 king salmon stamp.

Fishing has been slow due to the high water and the run winding down.

Pink Salmon

Pink salmon have started entering the Situk in decent numbers. It is early but more pinks should be entering the rivers over the next couple of weeks. Try pitching any brightly colored lure in deep runs or holding water.

Saltwaters

King Salmon

Sportfishing for king salmon is open in Yakutat area marine waters. Reports of fishing by trollers and sport anglers in Yakutat Bay continue to be slow over the last week. Kings have been reported to be caught in the islands, out front, and out near the pinnacles in the middle of Yakutat Bay. Most anglers are trolling spoons, hoochies, or herring behind a flasher 20-30 feet down along the beaches in about 40-60 feet of water.

Halibut

Halibut fishing has been good when weather allows. Halibut have even started to be caught within the islands and should continue to be good while pink salmon move closer inshore. Some nice fish have been caught, however, reports of dogfish entering the area have increased which will make it difficult to find the halibut. Try soaking all sorts of baited circle hooks with bait such as herring, salmon heads, carcasses, octopus, squid, etc.

Lingcod

Fishing has been excellent for lingcod in the Yakutat area, with good catches being reported. Try using all sorts of jigs, darts, or cut-plug herring while mooching

Rockfish

Fishing for pelagic rockfish should be excellent in the Yakutat area. Try using all sorts of jigs, dart, or cut-plug herring while mooching.

For further information, please contact the Yakutat Area Sport Fish management biologist Jason Pawluk at (907) 784-3222.

Helpful links