Area Sport Fishing Reports
Yakutat

September 4, 2025

Freshwaters

Coho Salmon

The biggest issue with fishing for coho right now in the Yakutat management area and around Southeast Alaska in general is the weather we've been having. Specifically, the lack of rain and the very warm/dry conditions that have persisited for over the last month have basically reduced water levels to concerning levels. Fishing for coho not only in the Situk River, but in other locations like the Lost River, Tawah Creek, and Tsiu River, would be accurately depicted as being slow to very slow. In fact, most anglers are skipping fishing the fresh waters and focusing on the saltwater fishing for coho which is excellent right now and has been for weeks. Water levels are very low and temperatures are warm which can stress fish out and cause die offs. The department is keeping an eye on these conditions and restrictions could be implemented to protect coho salmon that are struggling to make it upriver.

Dolly Varden

Dolly fishing should be excellent. Large numbers of Dolly Varden are present in the Situk River and other freshwaters in the Yakutat management area. They are starting to focus their attention on sockeye, kings, and pink salmon as they begin spawning, so drifting beads in the 6-12mm range will start being more effective.

Saltwaters

King Salmon

Sportfishing for king salmon is open in Yakutat area marine waters. Fishing for kings has slowed dramatically as the bay has been flooded with coho salmon. Most anglers troll spoons or herring behind a flasher. Please check the department website below for the recent emergency order and advisory announcements regarding 2025 regional king salmon regulations for Southeast Alaska.

Coho (Silver) Salmon

Fishing for coho salmon in the salt water continues to be excellent in the Yakutat area. Most of the action has been had near Point Munoz, Point Carrew, and Ocean Cape, but anglers are also catching coho back inside the islands and in Ankau Lagoon. Most coho are caught trolling with herring, spoons, or hoochies, but anglers can also mooch with herring once they find the fish or jig with small darts.

Halibut

Halibut fishing continues to be slow with more smaller fish being brought in. The marine weather continues to look good for the foreseeable future so anglers can go where ever they want, with most anglers going out front of Yakutat Bay. We are on the backside of the peak of the halibut season, so fishing should start seeing a decline in fishing success as the next month or so proceeds. Anglers are anchoring up and soaking herring/octopus/salmon heads on circle hooks or using baited jigs as they drift.

Lingcod

Lingcod fishing is open in the Yakutat area. Fishing has been excellent so far. Please check the department website for the recent emergency order and advisory annoucements regarding changes to lingcod regulations in the Yakutat management area. Using a variety of jigs (lead-head, dart) over rocky structures is the best method for catching lingcod, although a double snelled octopus hook set-up baited with herring works well too.

Rockfish

Fishing for rockfish is good in the Yakutat area. Dart jigs or mooching with herring over rocky pinnacles works best. Please check the department website for the recent emergency order and advisory annoucements regarding changes to rockfish regulations in 2025 for Southeast Alaska.

For further information, please get in touch with the Yakutat Area Sport Fish management biologist Jason Pawluk at (907) 784-3222.

Emergency orders can be found on our website.

Check out the new gofishak interactive map to discover popular fishing locations and information on species run timing, fishing gear selections, and boat and angler access tips!