Area Sport Fishing Reports
Petersburg

May 2, 2025

Steelhead

The mild winter offered early access by roads that were free of snow and lakes that thawed. The latter half of April was exceptionally rainy providing the water needed for these fish to move upstream. Steelhead are now dispersed throughout the systems instead of being held up in only the deep holes. The first few weeks in May might provide relief from the heavy rain and an opportunity to steelhead fish in warmer weather.

Dolly Varden and Trout

Dolly Varden and trout are now abundant throughout the creeks. With lighter tackle, the spring offers a good time to seek these fish without having to deal with pink salmon in the streams. Good size cutthroat trout are easily caught this time of year. Dolly Varden will be seen in greater numbers in the stream and the saltwater, where they can be caught from the shore; boat; or dock.

King Salmon

The vast majority of marine waters in the Petersburg/Wrangell area are currently closed to king salmon retention. Opportunity to harvest king salmon will be available in areas where Alaska hatchery produced king salmon will be returning starting May 15, 2025. King salmon regulations have changed since last year. Advisory Announcements are available on our website. Remember that a king salmon stamp is required whenever fishing for king salmon (including catch and release).

Halibut

The sport fishery is open February 1 – December 31, 2025. Reminder: Filleting halibut: No person shall possess on board a vessel, including charter vessels and pleasure craft used for fishing, halibut that have been filleted, mutilated, or otherwise disfigured in any manner, except that each halibut may be cut into no more than 2 ventral pieces, 2 dorsal pieces, and 2 cheek pieces, with enough skin on each piece to identify whether the piece is from the light side or the dark side of the fish.

Lingcod

Sport fishing for lingcod is currently closed in all Southeast Alaska waters but will open on May 16, 2025. Residents are allowed a daily bag limit of 1; 2 in possession. Nonresidents are allowed a daily bag limit of 1; 1 in possession; 30-35 inches or 55 inches and longer. There is an annual limit of 2 fish, 1 of which is 30-35 inches in length, and 1 that is 55 inches or greater in length. A harvest record is required. The Northern Southeast Area will be closed to nonresidents for lingcod fishing from June 15 - August 15, 2025.

Rockfish

Rockfish regulations have changed since the last fishing season. The retention of demersal shelf rockfish, including yelloweye, is open for residents of Alaska with a daily bag limit of 1; 2 in possession. Demersal shelf rockfish, including yelloweye, will be open for nonresidents from July 1 through August 25 with an annual limit of 1 fish. Slope Rockfish are open to resident and nonresidents with a daily bag limit of 1; 1 in possession. Pelagic Rockfish are open to resident and nonresidents with a daily bag limit of 3; 6 in possession. A helpful species identification guide has been published on the ADFG website. Anglers are reminded that a rockfish release device is now required to be used whenever releasing rockfish and a rockfish release device must be onboard your vessel whenever sport fishing in marine waters.