Area Sport Fishing Reports
Yakutat

July 18, 2024

Freshwaters

Sockeye Salmon

Recent rains over last weekend raised levels in the Situk enough that the weir crew had to pull pickets and as a result the weir was not fish tight for three days, missing those days counts. But pickets were put back in on Wednesday and counting has resumed. As expected, the high waters from the rains pushed fish upstream and basically cleared out the lower and middle river of fish. So as a result of that fishing will be difficult over the next week or so. Fishing should be better in the lower section of river as fish start to refill that section as they work their way upstream. Expect to see other species soon such as pink salmon and a few coho mixed in with the sockeye. So far over 40,000 sockeye have passed the weir. Water levels are a little high still but should be fishable for sockeye over the next week or more. Boaters should have better access to the fish which may be spread out more.

The daily bag and possession limits of sockeye salmon on the Situk River were liberalized to six fish a day and twelve fish in possession, effective Thursday, July 11th.

Situk River Sockeye Salmon Bag Limit Increase Announcement

Saltwaters

King Salmon

Sportfishing for king salmon is open in Yakutat area marine waters. Fishing has slowed a little since the last report with more anglers targeting groundfish. Fishing continues to be slow and spotty inside the islands, with Monti Bay and Ocean Cape producing better catch rates. Most anglers troll spoons or herring behind a flasher.

Halibut

Halibut fishing has slowed some with more smaller fish being caught. Anglers are having a harder time finding sizable fish, and based on angler reports, dogfish have flooded into the area making fishing extremely difficult. Advice for avoiding dogfish include ceasing the use of chumbags, moving frequently, and taking breaks between soaking bait to try and clear them out. For halibut, try sitting on anchor while using herring, salmon carcasses, or squid/octopus for bait, or try drifting with jigs baited with herring or unbaited. Fishing for halibut should be peaking over the next couple of months.

Lingcod

Lingcod fishing is excellent in the Yakutat area. Lingcod are spread out throughout the area but like to hang out near rocky structures or pinnacles. Typically using herring as bait, or using any type of jig will work.

Rockfish

Fishing for rockfish should be excellent in the Yakutat area. Try using small dart jigs near shallow rocky structures.

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!

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