Area Sport Fishing Reports
Prince of Wales Island

Archived Sport Fishing Report

October 23, 2018

Prince of Wales Sport Fishing

The sport fishing opportunities are numerous on Prince of Wales (POW) with productive marine waters surrounding the island and a vast road system to access a large number of rivers, creeks and lakes, which provide opportunities for trout, Dolly Varden, steelhead and four species of salmon. During late fall and winter, fishing in marine waters can be productive for bottom fish while salmon fishing is poor.

King Salmon

There are some king salmon in the marine waters of POW, but fishing is poor.

• Sport fishing for king salmon around POW is currently open with a bag limit of 1 king salmon per day, 28 inches or greater. Alaska residents may use 2 rods to target king salmon from October 1 through March 31. The nonresident annual limit is 1 king salmon after July 1. Nonresidents shall immediately record, in ink, all king salmon harvested either on the back of their sport fishing license or on a nontransferable harvest record card.

Coho Salmon

Coho salmon are available in many drainages but are preparing to spawn.

Trout and Dolly Varden

Rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and Dolly Varden are available in many of the freshwater drainages of Prince of Wales Island. Productive drainages include Klawock, Luck and Sarkar lakes, Thorne River, and Ratz Creek. Regulations regarding size limits and bag limits can vary by waterbody, please review the 2018 Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet.

Steelhead

Small numbers of fall or winter run steelhead begin entering some drainages in late October and continue through the winter. They are generally found in drainages with a lake system such as the Thorne, Klawock and Karta rivers, as well as Eagle and Ratz creeks.

Halibut

Halibut are available in the marine waters surrounding Prince of Wales year around, however there is a closure to sport fishing during the month of January.

Lingcod

Lingcod fishing can be good in areas with rocky structure.

• Resident bag limits are 1 fish per day, 2 in possession, no size limit.
• Nonresident bag limits are 1 daily, 1 in possession, size limit 30 inches or greater in length and less than 45 inches, or greater than 55 inches. Annual limit of 2 fish, one of which is 30 to 45 inches and one of which is 55 inches or greater in length.
• Season is closed from December 1 to May 15.

Rockfish

Pelagic and non-pelagic rockfish provide good fishing in the marine waters surrounding Prince of Wales year round. For additional information regarding rockfish identification and management, please visit the ADF&G Rockfish Conservation webpage.

All Prince of Wales Waters

Pelagic Rockfish

• Season: year round
• Five per day; ten in possession

Non-pelagic Rockfish

• Season: All waters of POW are currently open.
• 1 per day, 1 in possesion.
• Nonresidents 1 yelloweye rockfish per year.

Shrimp

Anglers are required to obtain a free permit for sport, personal use, and subsistence shrimp harvest. Permits are available online at the ADF&G store or at your local ADF&G office.

Regulation summaries and copies of the news releases are available at the Craig ADF&G office.

For further information, please feel free to contact the Prince of Wales Area Management Biologist Craig Schwanke (907) 826-2498.