Area Sport Fishing Reports
Yakutat

July 3, 2025

Freshwaters

Sockeye Salmon

Sockeye fishing continues to be good on the Situk River. Water levels are normal and have made fishing quite good. Weir counts have us tracking above the escapement goal range, with over 30,000 fish estimated to have gone past the weir so far at roughly 30% of the run historically. As a result, the bag limit for sockeye salmon on the Situk River increases from 3 per day to 6 per day on Friday, July 4th. Fish are spread through out the river. The long term forecast calls for rain all next week at decent levels, so rising water levels are expected late this weekend. Rising water levels shouldn't prevent fishing, especially boat fishing, but could make wade shore fishing a little more difficult. Fishing should be good for the next few weeks. The Situk River within 50 yards of both upstream/downstream of the 9-mile Bridge is closed to sport fishing.

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 feasting on emigrating pink salmon fry, and salmon smolt. Almost any lure or fly can be used to catch them. Try mimicking salmon smolt or fry when choosing a lure.

Cutthroat Trout

Cutthroat trout fishing continues to be excellent right now. The best location to target them is Tawah Creek. The Tawah Creek within 50 yards of both upstream/downstream of the Cannon Beach Road Bridge is closed to sport fishing. They are spread throughout the drainage and are similar to Dolly Varden in that you can use a variety of lures or flies to target them.

Saltwaters

King Salmon

Sportfishing for king salmon is open in Yakutat area marine waters. Fishing for kings this last week continued to be spotty. Fishing for king salmon closes to non-resident anglers on Monday, July 7th. 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.

Halibut

Halibut fishing this past week was good, however alot of smaller fish are being caught compared to earlier in the season. The weather has allowed anglers to get out to wherever they want to this last week, with most anglers going out front of Yakutat Bay. Dogfish are present, so moving around to avoid them might be necessary. We are in the middle of the halibut season, so fishing should remain good for the next month or so. The forecast looks a little rough next week with rain and wind event scattered throughout. 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!