Area Sport Fishing Reports
Juneau

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 20, 2017

King Salmon Fishing OPEN in the Juneau Area marine waters

King salmon fishing is open in the waters of District 11, and District 15 south of the latitude of Sherman Rock, and District 12 north of the latitude of Point Couverden on June 15. King salmon fishing in District 15 north of the latitude of Sherman Rock is still CLOSED.

The bag, possession and annual limits for the Juneau area for 2017 are as follows:

Alaskan Resident

• The resident bag and possession limit is two king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. No annual limits

Nonresident

• The nonresident bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length;
• The nonresident annual limit is three king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. Nonresident anglers shall immediately record, in ink, all king salmon harvested either on the back of their sport fishing license or on a nontransferable harvest record.

From October 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018; resident sport anglers may use two rods when fishing for king salmon.

Taku River king salmon, like other Southeast Alaska king salmon stocks, are still experiencing a period of low productivity. The 2017 in river sampling for Taku River king salmon indicates that marine survivals are still poor and escapement is still low. The projected terminal run abundance is predicted to be below spawning escapement goal range (19,000–36,000 large fish) However, historic run timing indicates that most of the Taku king salmon have passed upstream into freshwater by this time, thus allowing for easing of sport fishing restrictions in Juneau area marine waters.

Conservative king salmon regulations for the Haines, Skagway, and Ketchikan areas, announced on March 6, 2017, are still in effect in order to protect other wild Alaska king salmon stocks.

King salmon sport limits will NOT be increased in the Juneau area within the designated saltwater harvest area (THA) in 2017.

• Daily bag and possession limits will revert to the Southeast Alaska Regional king salmon regulations described above. All king salmon must be 28 inches or greater in length

Fish Creek Pond is CLOSED to sport fishing from July 1 until July 31, 2017.

• Taking or attempting to take fish in the pond is prohibited.

Macauley Hatchery Area is CLOSED to king salmon fishing from July 1 until August 31, 2017.

Sport fishing for king salmon and snagging will be prohibited within a 300-yard radius of the Wayside Park Fishing Dock. King salmon may NOT be snagged, targeted, retained or possessed. King salmon caught while fishing for other species must be released immediately unharmed.

Due to concerns about low numbers of king salmon expected to return to the Douglas Island Pink and Chum Inc. Macaulay Salmon Hatchery, and bag and possession limits for the designated saltwater harvest area will NOT be liberalized. This action is necessary to insure that sufficient numbers of king salmon can be collected for broodstock needs.

Anglers are reminded that they can harvest 4 king salmon daily, 4 in possession, no size limit, for all freshwater drainages crossed by the Juneau road system (except as noted above for Fish Creek Pond). Annual limits for king salmon do not apply in freshwater. Please note that some drainages crossed by the Juneau Road System are closed to fishing. The list of closed drainages can be found on pages 20-21 of the 2017 Southeast Alaska Sportfish Regulation Summary.

Sport Fishing Emergency Orders and News Releases with relevant maps and bag and possession limits can be found at: www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/EONR/index.cfm

Marine Boat fishing report

Salmon fishing

During the past week in the Juneau area marine waters, feeder king salmon and cohos have been harvested primarily from the backside of Douglas, Point Retreat to Cordwood, Lizard Head, Point Couverden and Rocky Island. Pink and chum salmon harvests were also reported along the west side of Admiralty Island, Icy Straits, Homeshore, Cordwood, the backside of Douglas, Auke Bay and Amalga Harbor.

Bottom fishing

The halibut hotspots this past week have been reported from Scull Island, backside of Douglas, Poundstone Rock, Point Howard, Lynn Sisters, Point Couverden, Hanus Reef and Spasski Bay. Rockfish harvests have included Dusky rockfish, Quillbacks, Silvergreys, and Yelloweye rockfish. Anglers are reminded that the daily bag and possession limits for PELAGIC Rockfish is 5 daily with 10 in possession. The six pelagic rockfish include: Dark, Dusky, Widow, Black, Blue, and Yellowtail rockfish. Please see page 36 of the 2017 Southeast Alaska Sportfish Regulation Summary booklet for identification of these species. All species other than these six are considered to be NON-PELAGIC rockfish. Bag and possession limits for non-pelagics is 1 daily, 1 in possession. Please see page 11 of the Regulation Summary booklet.

Marine boat creel survey staff are sampling and conducting interviews at Juneau’s ports. This sport fishing information is being collected to help manage fishery stocks and to gain a better understanding of genetic makeup of fish being caught in the area. As always, your cooperation in this matter is very much appreciated.

Freshwater Fishing report

Dolly Varden/cutthroat trout fishing

A few pink and chum salmon have been reported in area freshwaters, along with sea run Dolly Varden. Brightly colored (Chartreuse, Lime Green, Blaze Orange) spoons and spinners are good bets for any of these species. “Dollys” are often associated with spawning salmon and can be seen feeding on salmon eggs. Anglers can be successful with egg imitation patterns like beads or egg sucking leaches. Dolly Varden also actively feed on salmon carcasses and are often taken with flesh imitation flies. Anglers using spinning tackle can have success with small spinners, pixies and other spoons. Try local streams such as Cowee Creek, Salmon Creek, and Montana Creek.

Sea run cutthroat trout can be found near stream mouths and along area shorelines. The abundance of sea run cutthroat trout is low compared to sea run Dolly Varden, so bag and possession limits are more restrictive and size restrictions apply.

Anglers should check the 2017 Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations for trout and Dolly Varden regulations. Juneau Area Freshwater Special Regulations for local lakes, creeks, rivers, and drainages can be found on pages 18-21. Unless otherwise specified, cutthroat and rainbow trout limits (in combination) on the Juneau Road System are 2 daily and 2 in possession, 14 inch minimum and 22 inch maximum. Dolly Varden limits are 2 daily, 2 in possession, no size limit.