Area Sport Fishing Reports
Juneau

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 03, 2019

Juneau Area Regulations

King Salmon

Marine Waters Near Juneau (outside THA):

July 1 - December 31:

Alaska resident:

• The bag and possession limit is two king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.

Nonresidents:

• The bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length;
• The annual limit is one king salmon.

Marine Waters of Hatchery Sport Harvest Area (inside THA);

June 15 - August 31

• 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 do not count toward their annual limit.

Anglers should note that the bag, possession and size limits for king salmon in the salt waters outside of the designated saltwater hatchery sport harvest area (THA) are more restrictive, and that regulations prohibit anglers from possessing fish that exceed the limits for the waters where they are fishing. Therefore, anglers who catch king salmon within the designated saltwater hatchery sport harvest area may not continue to fish outside of that area if they possess king salmon that do not comply with the regional king salmon bag, possession and size limits.

Southeast Alaska Regional King Salmon Regulations for the Outer Coast:

July 1 - December 31

Regional king salmon regulations announced April 1, 2019, remain in effect along the outer coast in areas where restrictions on king salmon harvest were not implemented during the spring of 2019.

Alaska resident:

• The bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.

Nonresident:

• The bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length;
• From July 1 through December 31, the annual limit is one king salmon. Any king salmon harvested between January 1 through June 30 will apply to the one fish annual limit.

Fish Creek and Fish Creek Pond

From June 1- August 31, anglers are reminded that the daily bag and possession limit for king salmon in the freshwaters of Fish Creek and Fish Creek Pond is 4 fish, any size and any king salmon harvested by non-residents do not count toward their annual limit. Please note that within Fish Creek Pond, anglers may use bait, may snag and may use weighted hooks, lures, and treble hooks with a gap greater than ½ inch between the point and shank. However, anglers may NOT use bait, or snag, or use the aforementioned large treble hooks in Fish Creek itself. The marine waters at the mouth of Fish Creek fall under the THA regulations above, and snagging is allowed only in salt waters.

For additional information, or questions, please contact the Division of Sport Fish Region 1 office in Juneau at (907) 465-4270

Marine Fishing Reports

Salmon: Pink, Chum, Sockeye, Coho and King

With the unusually warm sunny weather fishing for king salmon in the Juneau area has become a bit more of a challenge. Although lots of king salmon are present in the marine waters of the THA, reports are that the fish are a bit skittish and not willing to bite. To have the best chance of catching a king salmon try fishing early in the morning or late in the evening when the sun is lower on the horizon. Fish tend to be a bit more agressive and willing to bite during these times. Anglers are having luck using bright colored hoochies and spinners and spoons. Try using white, chartreuse, flouresent orange and pink. Further west, a few king salmon were reported in fair numbers from Idaho Inlet, Cape Cross and Port Althorp, although fishing was a bit better on the outer coast two weeks ago.

For salmon species other than king salmon this is the time of year when catch rates for chum, pink and later coho salmon begin to picku up. Last week, a few sockeye were encountered, north of Auke Bay but catch rates should drop off for these sockeye that are not as willing to bite. A few pink salmon were caught near Horse and Colt islands and the backside of Douglas near Juneau. Silvers and a few chum salmon are reported being caught from boats fishing out of Gustavus and Elfin Cove, mostly west of Elfin Cove. Look for catch rates to continue to improve for all these species of salmon. A great spot to try to fish is in Echo cove for some bright pink salmon. These fish tend to be very aggressive and willing to bite. Mid July is the perfect time to target these fish especially if you are looking to introduce kids to fishing. For those anglers who need fishing gear please feel free to stop by the Douglas Office for some free loaner fishing gear. Another great spot to introduce kids to fishing is Twin Lakes where thousands of rainbow trout were stocked in May.

Bottomfish: Halibut, Sablefish, Lingcod & Rockfish

Halibut catches in the Juneau area continue to improve with a decent number harvested from a variety of areas including North Pass, Vanderbilt Reef, N. Shelter and off Lincoln Islands, around Benjamin, Lynn Sisters, Couverden Island, and Homeshore towards Gustavus. For anglers who are able to make it out to the west, Pleasant Island and Pt. Adolphus, Graves Rock, Cape Spencer, and Cross Sound have produced the best catches. A few halibut have been reported caught in the last 2 weeks, mostly from Cross Sound and Deer Harbor. Rockfish catches continued to increase as well and consisted mostly of Duskies, Widows, Black Rockfish, Silvergreys, Redstripes, Tigers, Rougheyes, Redbanded, Quillbacks, Coppers, Yelloweyes and Shortrakers. A few Lingcod have also been reported from Cape Spencer, Cross Sound and Deer Harbor. Creel samplers from the Department continue to sample marine boat anglers at Juneau, Gustavus and Elfin Cove harbors. Please assist them in collecting harvest and biological data, your participation is vital to the Department, allowing continued sustainable management. As always, a big thank you to all anglers who allow our samplers to check their fish and record this valuable catch, harvest, effort and biological information. Have a happy 4th of July and get out there and catch some fish!

Other July Fishing Opportunities

Dolly Varden/cutthroat trout fishing

Anadromous Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout are now present in saltwater near the mouths of local creeks such as Salmon Creek, Sheep Creek, and Cowee Creek. Dollies returning to feed in freshwater are also beginning to arrive in local creeks ahead of returning salmon.For the best chance to catch a Dolly Varden or cutthroat trout try fishing in Gastineau Channel. Fishermen in the Channel are having luck using small smolt imitation fly patterns or small spinners and spoons. For some of the better freshwater fishing opportunities try fishing out the road at Cowee Creek below the bridge. Montana Creek is another great place to catch Dolly Varden and trout. Try fishing there at the mouth of Montana Creek where it dumps into the Mendenhall River, or try the upper "canyon" section near the rifle range. Anglers continue to use smolt imitation flies and lures and will later switch to using egg imitations once the salmon arrive and begin to spawn. More on that later this summer.

In all drainages crossed by the Juneau road system, as well as saltwaters 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 be sure to check the 2019 Southeast Alaska Sportfish Regulation Summary for special regulations specific to the stream or lake where they intend to fish. Several areas are closed to fishing and most in most areas only unbaited, artificial lures and flies may be used year-round, except for Fish Creek pond, Twin Lakes, and Salmon Creek Reservoir.