Area Sport Fishing Reports
Yakutat
Archived Sport Fishing Report
April 03, 2023
Freshwaters
Steelhead Trout
The first thing to discuss is last year's flood on the Situk River which occurred in October 2022. The flood changed the Lower Landing boat launch dramatically. At this point, the launch is unusable for the most part, except maybe during very large high tides. Currently, putting in and taking out a boat and trailer is extremely difficult to next to impossible. Work is expected to be performed on the launch to grade it back and allow it to be functional, but it is still uncertain when that work will be done. The flood also significantly changed the Upper Situk, and much of the river has either filled certain spots or moved trees around. This has dramatically changed the old fishing locations, and what used to be good fishing spots are no longer in many cases.
The next thing to discuss is the water conditions on the Situk. The water levels are extremely low right now. This makes boat travel very difficult, and locals are still out cutting the river for passage. The Rodeo Hole is a pinch point right now and very difficult to jet boat through. The low water dramatically affects the Upper Situk in terms of fishing ability. The few holes not obstructed with newly fallen trees are very difficult to fish with the slow-moving water. Fishing will be difficult with a flow lower than 90 ft3/s until the water comes up. With the recent cold weather, that may be a while. Add on cold water temperatures, and the few fish that are in the river will be less inclined to strike.
The last thing to consider is the fish numbers. So far, the Upper river seems devoid of fish. A couple of steelhead were seen at the Nine-mile Bridge, but that's about it. It appears with the very low water levels that not many fish, if any, have come out of the lake. The Lower Situk has a couple of reports of steelhead being caught, but very few fish have been seen down there (minus the hundreds of thousands of Eulechon (hooligan)). Fishing overall is very slow. Given the low water levels and cold water temperatures, fishing is expected to be slow for a while.
Saltwaters
King Salmon
Sportfishing for king salmon is open in Yakutat area marine waters. The staff has received no reports of sport fishing out in Yakutat Bay. Most anglers troll spoons or herring behind a flasher.
Halibut
Halibut fishing is slow.
Lingcod
Lingcod fishing is closed until May 16th.
Rockfish
Fishing for rockfish should be excellent in the Yakutat area.
For further information, please get in touch with the Yakutat Area Sport Fish management biologist Jason Pawluk at (907) 784-3222.