Area Sport Fishing Reports
Juneau

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 27, 2017

King Salmon Fishing still OPEN in Juneau Area

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. King salmon fishing in District 15 north of the latitude of Sherman Rock is still CLOSED.

Bag, possession and annual limits for the Juneau area will revert to the Southeast Alaska Regional king salmon sport fishing regulations for 2017:

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 well below spawning escapement goal range (19,000–36,000 large fish). 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, Petersburg, Wrangell and Ketchikan areas, announced on March 6, 2017, are still in effect in order to protect other wild Alaska king salmon stocks.

Hatchery king salmon sport limits will NOT be increased in the Juneau area within the designated saltwater harvest area in 2017.

• Daily bag and possession limits will revert to the Southeast Alaska Regional king salmon regulations described above.

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, 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.

Fish Creek Pond will remain closed to sport fishing through Monday July 31, 2017

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

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 those streams that are closed as noted on pages 20-21 of the 2017 Southeast Alaska Sportfish Regulation Summary booklet. Annual limits for king salmon do not apply in freshwater.

Marine Boat Fishing Report

Salmon fishing

During the past week around the Juneau area marine waters, feeder king salmon have been harvested in Fritz Cove, backside of Douglas, North Shelter, west of Point Retreat at Cordwood and Lizard Head. Coho salmon fishing has been reported as good throughout the Juneau management area in all areas from Tracy Arm to Northern Lynn Canal out to Cross Sound and on the outer coast. Coho, pink and chum salmon were reported primarily from west of Point Retreat along the western Admiralty shoreline, North Pass, Inner Auke Bay and Fritz Cove and the Homeshore shoreline.

Bottom fishing

With the improvement of salmon fishing, fewer people were focused on halibut, but the halibut hotspots this past week were reported from Scull Island, backside of Douglas, Point Retreat, Poundstone Rock, Vanderbilt Reef, St James Bay, Aaron Island and The Kittens. Rockfish harvests included Dusky, Silvergreys, Quillbacks, Rougheye and a few Yelloweye. 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 still 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. 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

Freshwater Fishing report

Dolly Varden/cutthroat trout fishing

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 in area streams. 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. Anglers should check the 2017 Southeast Alaska Sportfish Regulation Summary for special regulations specific to the stream or lake they intend to fish.