Area Sport Fishing Reports
Juneau

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 24, 2018

King Salmon Sport Fishing Regulations (saltwater) 

• The bag and possession limit (resident and nonresident) is ONE king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.
• For nonresidents, annual harvest limits and recording requirements apply as follows:
  • From January 1 through June 30, the annual limit is THREE king salmon 28 inches or greater in length;
  • From July 1 through December 31, the annual limit is ONE king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length, and any king salmon harvested from January 1 through June 30 will apply toward the one fish annual limit;
• Immediately upon landing and retaining a king salmon a nonresident must enter the species, date and location, in ink, on the back of their sport fishing license or harvest record.

HATCHERY KING SALMON FISHING NEAR JUNEAU

Sport Fishing for King Salmon OPEN in Designated Saltwater Hatchery Sport Harvest Areas (THA) near Juneau until AUGUST 31

The hatchery king salmon regulations in the designated saltwater hatchery sport harvest area (Auke Bay, Fritz Cove, North Gastineau Channel and Lena Cove) went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 15 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, August 31, 2018. The regulations are as follows:

• The daily bag and possession limit is TWO king salmon of any size;
• King salmon harvested by nonresidents in the designated saltwater hatchery sport harvest area do not count toward their annual limit.

The department is liberalizing sport fishing regulations in the designated hatchery sport harvest area due to the number of returning hatchery fish exceeding broodstock needs for the hatchery program.

Macaulay Hatchery Area is OPEN to King Salmon Fishing

Beginning at 12:01 am Tuesday, July 24, the area near Macauley Hatchery is open to sport fishing for king salmon and snagging is allowed. King salmon regulations are as follows:

• The daily bag and possession limit is 2 king salmon of any size
• King salmon harvested by nonresidents in the designated saltwater hatchery sport harvest area (THA) do not count towards their annual limit

As of July 23, enough king salmon have made it up the fish ladder and into the hatchery to reach the 2018 broodstock goal. Since broodstock needs have been met, surplus king salmon in the area are available to harvest.

Juneau area (Section 11-A) Remains CLOSED to Sport and Personal Use Pot Shrimp Fishing.

Surveys conducted in the Section 11-A area this spring indicated that shrimp size composition and abundance have not yet rebounded and are not favorable to allow fishing. The intention of these closures is to allow spot shrimp abundance to rebound to sustainable levels. The department will continue to monitor Section 11-A shrimp. The sport and personal use pot fisheries will remain closed in this area until data indicates that spot shrimp abundance can again sustain harvest. 

Sport, Personal Use, and Subsistence Shrimp Permits REQUIRED All Anglers starting June 25

Anglers should obtain their FREE shrimp permits for sport pot shrimp and personal use and subsistence pot and trawl shrimp online at ADF&G's Online Store or at the Headquarters Office downtown near the whale sculpture or at the Douglas Office. Anglers are required to have shrimp permits in possession prior to fishing. 

Salmon Fishing in Juneau Area Marine Waters

From July 16-22, ADF&G Sportfish's Marine Creel staff observed king salmon harvested from the THA, with the majority of the catch from the Fritz Cove/inner Auke Bay and the Outer Point areas. These fish are predominantly hatchery stocks. Outside of the THA, anglers in Elfin Cove and Gustavus harvested king salmon. Coho salmon continue to be caught in increasing numbers on the outer coast in Elfin Cove and Gustavus with a few more showing up on the west side of Admiralty from Hawk Inlet to Point Retreat this past week. No pinks or chums were reported by boat anglers this week, but chums are still being caught from shore at the hatchery, Amalga and Sheep Creek. ADF&G Marine Creel personnel continue to survey anglers returning to area harbors and boat launches, anglers are asked to please help them collect the requested information by keeping all king and coho salmon, lingcod and nonpelagic rockfish carcasses, so that ADF&G can take length measurements.

Halibut, Rockfish, and Lingcod

Halibut, lingcod and rockfish were caught in increasing numbers this past week from a variety of areas: Favorite Channel, Poundstone, Vanderbilt, and Hanus Reefs, Point Howard, and Aaron Island all produced halibut and rockfish. Rockfish species harvested included Dusky, Quillback, Silvergrey, Widow, Copper and Yelloweye. Most were harvested from the reefs and kelp beds north of Shelter Island. Anglers are reminded that beginning January 1, 2020, all marine boat anglers will be required to carry and utilize Rockfish Deepwater Release Devices. Visit the ADF&G Rockfish Conservation webpage for additional information.

Other Fishing Opportunities

Dolly Varden/Cutthroat Trout Fishing

Anadromous Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout are beginning to move back into freshwater ahead of the salmon runs. Creeks such as Salmon Creek, Sheep Creek, and Cowee Creek may provide opportunity to catch these fish. Using small smolt imitation flies or egg-sucking leach patterns or small spinners and spoons is the best way to catch these fish.

There will also be some fish that do not leave their “over wintering” sites and head for the ocean. Known as “residents”, these fish stay in their home lake, pond, or stream the entire year. While these fish may move around in the system to take advantage of food or environmental conditions, they will be present for your fishing pleasure all year.

In all drainages crossed by the Juneau road system, as well as the saltwater adjacent to the Juneau road system to a line ¼ mile offshore, cutthroat and rainbow trout bag limits (in combination) are:

• 2 daily, 2 in possession with a 14 inch minimum and 22 inch maximum size limit.
• Dolly Varden limits are 2 daily, 2 in possession, no size limit.

Anglers should check the 2018 Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for special regulations specific to the stream or lake they intend to fish.