Area Sport Fishing Reports
Juneau

Archived Sport Fishing Report

August 16, 2018

Salmon Fishing in Juneau Area Marine Waters

From August 6 -15, ADF&G Sportfish's Marine Creel staff observed an increasing number of coho salmon from the Juneau area this past week. During this period, most coho were harvested from Point Retreat to False Retreat, but better catches were also reported from Hawk Inlet to Cordwood and as far south as the Lizard Head/Hawk Inlet shoreline. Pinks and chums were also caugt at Point Retreat, N. Pass and the backside of Douglas. A few king salmon were caught from the Breadline and the backside of Douglas.

Anglers fishing near Gustavus and Elfin Cove also reported better catches of cohos at Homeshore, Pleasant Island and Deer Harbor as another pulse moved onshore. Try fishing a hootchie or cut plug herring behind a large dodger in 40' of water. Shore fishermen have reported catching bright cohos from shore in the Sheep Creek estuary, as well.

ADF&G Marine Creel personnel continue to survey marine boat 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, halibut and nonpelagic rockfish carcasses, so that ADF&G can take length measurements.

This weekend marks the 72nd annual Golden North Salmon Derby. Weather reports look favorable for this weekend so anglers participating in the derby should have a lot of fun out there. Anglers are reminded that only coho salmon will be accepted by derby officials. Be sure to take proper care of your fish by leaving them in the round and putting them on plenty of ice. This will ensure good quality fish make it to the processor. Proceeds from the sale of derby fish will go toward student scholarships. This long standing derby is a great benefit to the community of Juneau. So please stay safe out there and have a great weekend fishing.

Halibut, Rockfish, and Lingcod

From August 6-15, halibut, lingcod and rockfish were caught in good numbers from a variety of areas: Poundstone Rock, Vanderbilt and Hanus Reefs, Benjamin and Aaron Islands, Horse/Colt Islands, N. Shelter, Point Retreat, Homeshore and Pleasant Island, Pt. Sophia and St. James Bay. Rockfish species harvested locally included Dusky, Quillback, Silvergrey, Black, Shortraker, Rougheye, Canary, and Tiger.

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 and stop by the Douglas or Headquarters office to get a free deepwater release device.

Other Fishing Opportunities
Dolly Varden/Cutthroat Trout Fishing

Anadromous Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout are back in freshwater now that local chum and pink salmon are in the streams spawning. Creeks such as Montana Creek, Fish Creek, and Cowee Creek may provide opportunity to catch these fish. Stream anglers have been having good luck using small smolt imitation flies and egg-sucking leach patterns or small spinners and spoons in the pools and glides uptream from saltwater where the salmon are spawning.

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.

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 through 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.

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 for 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.