Area Sport Fishing Reports
Yakutat
Archived Sport Fishing Report
May 08, 2023
Freshwaters
Steelhead Trout
Its been a while since the last report but the good news is fishing is better and the Situk River weir is in! We got the rains that were predicted last week and the river topped out somewhere between 500-600cfs by last Tuesday. This has refilled the river and made pretty good fishing conditions throughout. Water levels on the Situk River have slowly dropped throughout the week but discharge is still at decent flow, currently sitting at 240cfs. The extended forecast calls for a few showers today and throughout the week but no major rain events. This should help keep the water levels ideal and at optimal fishing conditions.
Reports from anglers and staff are that more fish moved in with the rains. Some reported seeing good numbers of fish moving in last week with the tides down low. That has definitely changed in recent days. Staff have observed some fish down in the lower section but in far fewer numbers than last week. It seems the majority of fish have moved upstream in preparation of spawning. The Upper Situk has more fish in that section for sure and is fishing well. Anglers should be aware that there is no fishing in a 2-mile section of the Upper Situk River through May 15th to protect spawning steelhead. The Middle Situk is also fishing well with boaters doing quite well if you can hit the holes first. Easy to say, but when you have guide boats launching at 3:30-4:00 am from 9-mile Bridge, that's tougher to accomplish. The next week should be good fishing on the Situk River for steelhead.
Cutthroat Trout
Cutthroat trout are slowing down on the Tawah River drainage. Fishing should decline over the next couple of weeks.
Saltwaters
King Salmon
Sportfishing for king salmon is open in Yakutat area marine waters. Staff has received decent reports of king salmon sport fishing out in Yakutat Bay this week. Locations within the islands, the Pinnacles, and out front of the bay are producing. Most anglers troll spoons or herring behind a flasher.
Anglers are required to have a king salmon stamp when targeting king salmon.
Halibut
There have been more reports this last week of halibut being caught near Yakutat. Fishing should only continue to improve as spring/summer progress.
Lingcod
Lingcod fishing is closed until May 16th.
Rockfish
Fishing for rockfish should be excellent in the Yakutat area. Try working small jigs or darts or mooching herring near any rocky structures or pinnacles under the water for the best results.
For further information, please get in touch with the Yakutat Area Sport Fish management biologist Jason Pawluk at (907) 784-3222.