Alaska Fishing Reports

Report From Alaska Fish and Game  

• Sitka Fishing Report
  September 22-28, 2008

• Chinook Salmon

• Beginning July 16, 2008 non-resident anglers are allowed to harvest one king salmon, 48 inches or greater in length.  Any king salmon 28 inches or greater in length harvested by a non-resident prior to July 15 will apply toward the one fish harvest limit. The implementation of this size restriction is the reason for the dramatically lower harvest rates as fishing effort and harvest is predominantly from nonresident anglers. The resident king salmon bag and possession limit is one fish 28 inches or greater.
•             There were no king salmon encountered by creel personnel in Sitka last week; the typical 5-year average for the last week of September is 21 rod hours per king salmon harvested. Chinook salmon are generally landed offshore in locations such as Vitskari Rocks, Biorka, Sitka Point, Cape Edgecumbe, the Shark Hole, and Salisbury Sound.             
• The Sitka Fishing Guide (PDF) has more information on fishing for salmon in the Sitka area.

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Report From Alaska Fish and Game

• Haines & Skagway Sport Fishing Report
  September 22-28, 2008
• The forecast for Chilkat River coho salmon is an above average run in 2008. The Chilkat River fish wheels caught 2,226 coho salmon through September 28, above the average of 1,899 fish.
• The limits for coho salmon 16 inches or more in length are 3 per day and 6 in possession in the Chilkat River. The limits for coho salmon 16 inches or more in length are 2 per day and 2 in possession in the Chilkoot River. Anglers must abide by the bag and possession limits in the waters in which they are fishing, and multiple bag or possession limits may not be accumulated between waters fished.
• The Chilkat River fish wheels captured 6,195 sockeye salmon through September 28, which is above the average of 4,235 fish by that date. Through September 25, the Chilkat Lake weir has counted 44,773 sockeye, about 2/3 of the escapement goal of 70,000 fish. The Chilkat River pink salmon run is mostly complete. The fish wheels caught 4,603 through September 28, above the average of 3,660 fish.
• The last day of fish counts at the Chilkoot River weir was September 12. A total of 32,957 sockeye salmon were counted upstream this year, below the average (57,768) and below the escapement goal (50,000). The Chilkoot River weir passed a total of 15,105 pink salmon, less than half of the average (37,876). A total of 50 coho salmon were counted through the Chilkoot River, a good early run indicator, but the majority of the run will arrive in late September and in October.
• King salmon catch rates are seeing a seasonal decline in the Haines and Skagway area. Port sampling in Skagway ended September 1.  The Southeast Alaska regional salt water king salmon bag, possession, and annual limits apply in the Haines and Skagway area. Through September 30, non-Alaska residents may retain a king salmon caught in salt water only if it is 48 inches or greater in total length.
• King salmon broodstock collection in Pullen Creek was a success in 2008. Enough eggs were collected to continue stocking the Taiya Inlet and Lutak Inlet king salmon smolt release projects in coming years.
• Based on ADF&G’s tagging study and spawning ground surveys, the abundance of Chilkat king salmon is within the goals in 2008. The Chilkat king escapement benefited from the closure of Chilkat Inlet to king salmon sport fishing in May and June, from low sport bag limits throughout Southeast Alaska, from harvest reductions by the commercial troll fleet, and from king salmon released by Chilkat Inlet subsistence gillnetters.
• Dolly Varden and sea-run cutthroat trout are starting their migration from salt water back to fresh water over wintering areas.
• Sport fishing for shrimp is closed in Lutak Inlet and Taiya Inlet for the remainder of 2008. This closure affects all non-Alaska residents. Alaska residents may continue to fish for shrimp in these areas under subsistence provisions. See a news release and map of the shrimp sport fishing closure area here
• Data collected by the department indicate that shrimp stocks in northern Lynn Canal are depressed. The commercial catch volume and catch-per-unit-effort of shrimp in this area declined steadily over the past four years. The commercial pot shrimp fishery in Lynn Canal will remain closed in 2008. Lynn Canal, north of Seduction Point will be closed to sport fishing for shrimp through June to protect female shrimp during the egg hatch. Taiya Inlet and Lutak Inlet will be closed through the rest of the year to help these stocks rebuild.
• The Southeast Alaska red and blue king crab personal use fishery is closed until further notice. For the most current information on this closure, please click here and here.
• For information on Chilkat River salmon research projects conducted by the department, please visit our website.

• ---

• Important Announcements and Reminders:

• King Salmon Bag Limits: The king salmon bag and possession limits for sport anglers fishing in the marine waters of Southeast Alaska are as follows:
• The resident bag and possession limit for king salmon is 1 fish 28 inches or greater in length.
• The nonresident bag and possession limit is:
•                 ○  May 1 through July 15, one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length;
                  ○  July 16 through September 30, one king salmon 48 inches or greater in length;
                  ○  October 1 through December 31, one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length.
• Nonresident harvest limit:
  • From January 1 through June 30, a nonresident’s harvest limit is three king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length;
  • From July 1 through July 15, a nonresident’s harvest limit is two king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length, and any king salmon 28 inches or greater in length harvested by the nonresident from January 1 through June 30 will apply toward the two fish harvest limit;
  • From July 16 through September 30, a nonresident’s harvest limit is one king salmon, 48 inches or greater in length, and any king salmon 28 inches or greater in length harvested by the nonresident from January 1 through July 15 will apply toward the one fish harvest limit;
  • From October 1 through December 31, a nonresident’s harvest limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length, and any king salmon 28 inches or greater in length harvested by the nonresident from January 1 through September 30 will apply toward the one fish harvest limit;
  • Nonresident anglers must record all king salmon harvested, immediately, in ink, either on the back of their sport fishing license, or on a nontransferable harvest record immediately.
• The maximum number of lines that may be fished from a charter vessel engaged in sport fishing charter activities is six lines or equal to the number of clients onboard the vessel, whichever is less.
• These regulations are based on the 2008 preseason abundance index of 1.07 (very low) as determined by the Pacific Salmon Commission’s Chinook Technical Committee.
• For more information about the sport fisheries in Southeast Alaska, contact the nearest Southeast Alaska ADF&G office or visit: http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/region1/index.cfm
• Filleting and Heading Salmon is Prohibited in the Skagway Marine Boat Sport Fishery: Marine boat anglers returning to re prohibited from filleting, mutilating, or heading sport caught king salmon, coho salmon, and lingcod until the fish have been brought to shore and offloaded, unless the fish have been consumed or preserved onboard.  This regulation will also be in effect from June 2 - September 1 for marine boat anglers docking in Skagway. Anglers are allowed to gut and gill these fish before returning to port. For the purposes of this regulation, anglers are allowed to fillet and head fish on their boats once they are tied up at a docking facility.
• The purpose of this restriction is to maximize fishery information available through our angler interview program. The department conducts on-site creel sampling during the fishing season at Haines and Skagway boat landing sites in order to estimate the amount of sport fishing effort, harvest, and contribution of hatchery fish and several important local wild stocks of king salmon to our local sport fisheries.
• BEAR WARNING……Anglers should be aware that there have been a number of brown bear and human interactions along the Chilkoot River in recent years.  For example last year, a bear regularly obtained fish from anglers who refused to stop fishing when the bear approached.  This situation was very dangerous for both anglers and the bear.  The bear learned to associate anglers with food making a dangerous situation for all anglers and will likely result in the bear having to be killed.  You can help to reduce these incidents by following these guidelines:
• Clean your fish in the river, and place fish remains in swiftly moving water.
• Cease all fishing activity when a bear approaches to within 100 yards or at a point where the bear could obtain your fish if you hooked one, whichever is greater.  Immediately release your hooked fish (by cutting or breaking the fishing line) when a bear approaches to within 100 yards or at the point when it is attracted by your struggling fish, whichever is greater.  If anglers are in a boat, you may move to deeper water to maintain separation between the angler and the bear.  Make every effort (including releasing hooked fish) to prevent a bear from obtaining your fish. 
• Store your food, fish and garbage in your vehicle (or bear-resistant container) at all times. Never leave your food, fish or garbage unattended.  We encourage you to clean your fish, to bag it immediately, and to store it in a cooler in your vehicle.
• Do not cast at bears.
• Do not eat along the river.
• Avoid fishing early in the morning or late at night.  This is when bears are most active.
• Avoid fishing in areas which bears are known to frequent such as the east shore (opposite side from the road).
• Camp only in the campground at the lake or at one of the commercial campgrounds.
• Use the outhouses provided in the campground. 
• Leave pets in your vehicle, or have them under leash control at all times.  If you must feed your pet, do so at your campsite and clean up any dropped food.
• Do not use firearms to scare or warn bears.  This could result in a wounded bear.
• If a bear approaches, stand your ground and speak in a normal voice.  Never run away from a bear.  Don’t whistle, call to, or otherwise try to get a bears attention.
• 2008 Sport Fishing Licenses and King salmon tags: Remember to buy your 2008 sport fishing license and king salmon tag (if going after kings) before heading for the water.
• Yukon Resident Sport Fishing Fees: Residents of Yukon, Canada may purchase a Class 11, Yukon annual sport fishing license for $24 and a king salmon stamp for $10. In order to do so, Yukon residents need to provide to a license vendor a copy of their current resident Yukon sport fishing license and a valid Yukon Territory government issued identification card. If they have not met the Yukon’s requirements to be considered a resident, then they cannot purchase an Alaskan Yukon sport fishing license/king salmon tag. The special license is available from any license vendor, and also from the Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau Department of Fish and Game offices. However, Yukon residents can not purchase their license online. If you have any questions, please call the licensing office at 907-465-2376 or e-mail licensehelp@fishgame.state.ak.us . They will be more than happy to assist you.
• Yukon residents are still considered non-residents and must comply with all regulations pertaining to non-residents. For example, Yukon anglers are allowed one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length per day and in possession, with an annual limit of three king salmon.
• 2008 Sport Fishing Regulations Booklets: The 2008 Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary are available at Fish and Game Offices and many sporting goods stores throughout the Northern Southeast area.  If you are rusty on the regulations, please pick up a regulation booklet and refresh your knowledge prior to going fishing.
• The Use of Bait: The use of bait is permitted year-round in the Skagway Area and in the Chilkat and Chilkoot River drainages except as noted here. The use of bait is prohibited year-round in Chilkat and Mosquito Lakes. The inlet and outlet streams to Chilkat and Mosquito Lakes are closed to bait fishing now through September 15. This prohibition on the use of bait stems from concern over hook-and-release mortality on cutthroat trout that must be released if below the legal size for harvest.
• Steelhead Trout: There are very few steelhead trout in the Haines and Skagway Area. However if you happen to catch one, remember that steelhead must be at least 36 inches in length before they can be legally harvested. There is a 1 fish daily bag limit and 2 fish annual harvest limit per angler. Steelhead anglers must record their harvest on the back of their license. For those anglers not required to have a license, such as anglers under the age of 16 or resident anglers 60 years of age or older, a harvest record card is available at no charge from the department or local vendors.
• Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) and Clams: Many people in Southeast Alaska like to take clams for personal consumption. Clam digging is popular but comes with some risk, primarily due to contamination of clam tissue with potentially lethal toxins accumulated during the so-called “red tides.”  This is a condition where small, single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates (a type of algae), increase in abundance in the marine waters during warmer times of the year, and which can turn the local waters reddish in color. The dinoflagellates produce a group of toxins that are collectively referred to as paralytic shellfish poison, or PSP.
• These toxins are a natural byproduct of the algae’s metabolism, and are accumulated in clams when they feed on the algae. People can get sick and even die if they eat clams contaminated with PSP. The risk goes up exponentially during the summer months when water temperatures increase and there are “blooms” of the dinoflagellate algae. Certain species of clams purge themselves relatively quickly of the toxins, others retain the toxins for considerable time, and can be hazardous to eat at any time of the year. Little neck or steamer clams are a safer target species because they tend not to concentrate the toxins as much, compared to butter clams, mussels, and even scallops. Mussels and butter clams can be very dangerous. Moreover, butter clams will retain the toxins for very long times. People should learn as much as they can about clam identification, PSP, and procedures to minimize risks of contracting paralytic shellfish poisoning, should they choose to take clams for consumption.
• Fishing Guide Licenses and Logbooks: All sport fishing guides and owners of guiding services businesses must obtain a license from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. All businesses and guides registered in 2006 should have received instructions on how to obtain a license from the Department. If you did not receive instructions, or are new to these activities, you can get more information at http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/guides/Guide.cfm .  Guides and business can obtain licenses online at http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/guides/guideForms.cfm or you can apply at the Sport Fish Office in Haines (766-2625 or 766-3638). Additionally, all freshwater and saltwater fishing guides are required to fill out logbooks this year. Haines guides should come to the Haines Office and obtain their logbooks.  Please have your 2007 guide business license number with you. Sport fishing charter boats are no longer required to have a CFEC vessel license number (triangle and 12” numbers), but you will have to have either a AK number (DMV) or USCG Documentation number for your boat.  Business/guides in outlying areas can call the Haines or Douglas office (465-4270) and work with a department representative for obtaining logbooks.
• If you are planning a trip to Haines or Skagway, you can learn current road conditions along the Haines and Klondike Highways here or at: http://www.gov.yk.ca/roadreport/.
• Click for the latest weather forecast or view Haines weather via real time video cameras at: http://akweathercams.faa.gov
• Have a safe and fun time while fishing! For more information, contact Richard Chapell, at (907) 766-3638, or email richard.chapell@alaska.gov.

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Report from Alaska Fish and Game 

• Ketchikan Fishing Report
  September 15 - September 21, 2008

• Chinook Salmon

• Anglers averaged one king salmon for every 354 hours fished. Last year it took 242 rod hours per king with a five-year average of 174 hours per fish.  The Herring Cove Terminal Harvest Area closed on July 31, 2008.
                                                                                 
  Thomas Basin remains open all year with the boundary between Ketchikan Creek and Thomas Basin established at the upstream side of the Stedman Street Bridge. Only single hooks and no snagging is allowed within Thomas Basin.
• Ketchikan Creek opened to sport fishing for all species, including king salmon, effective 12:01 a.m. August 23, 2008 through 11:59 p.m. December 31, 2008.  The daily bag and possession limit for king salmon in Ketchikan Creek is four king salmon of any size. The daily bag and possession limit for all other salmon 16 inches or greater in length is two per day in aggregate, and two in possession.  Fishing gear permitted in Ketchikan Creek is single hook, unbaited, artificial lures only.
  The Alaska Board of Fisheries granted the department emergency order authority to increase sport fish bag and possession limits when hatchery produced fish escape through existing fisheries to designated harvest areas in numbers that exceed brood stock needs or any natural spawning requirements.
  Ketchikan Creek will remain open from January 1, 2009 through May 15, 2009 by regulation for all species except king salmon. The bag limit for all other salmon (in combination) will remain at two fish per day and in possession, 16 inches or greater in length.
• Anyone needing additional information on this subject should call the Ketchikan ADF&G, Division of Sport Fish office at 225-2859 or visit the southeast emergency orders and news release page.
• For more information on fishing for salmon see the Ketchikan Sport Fishing Guide
• The king salmon bag and possession limits for sport anglers fishing in the marine waters of Southeast Alaska are as follows:
• The resident bag and possession limit for king salmon is 1 fish 28 inches or greater in length.
• The nonresident bag and possession limit is:
  • May 1 through July 15, one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length;
  • July 16 through September 30, one king salmon 48 inches or greater in length;
  • October 1 through December 31, one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length.
• Nonresident harvest limit:
  • From January 1 through June 30, a nonresident’s harvest limit is three king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length;
  • From July 1 through July 15, a nonresident’s harvest limit is two king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length, and any king salmon 28 inches or greater in length harvested by the nonresident from January 1 through June 30 will apply toward the two fish harvest limit;
  • From July 16 through September 30, a nonresident’s harvest limit is one king salmon, 48 inches or greater in length, and any king salmon 28 inches or greater in length harvested by the nonresident from January 1 through July 15 will apply toward the one fish harvest limit;
  • From October 1 through December 31, a nonresident’s harvest limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length, and any king salmon 28 inches or greater in length harvested by the nonresident from January 1 through September 30 will apply toward the one fish harvest limit;
  • Nonresident anglers must record all king salmon harvested, immediately, in ink, either on the back of their sport fishing license, or on a nontransferable harvest record immediately.
• The maximum number of lines that may be fished from a charter vessel engaged in sport fishing charter activities is six lines or equal to the number of clients onboard the vessel, whichever is less.
• These regulations are based on the 2008 preseason abundance index of 1.07 (very low) as determined by the Pacific Salmon Commission’s Chinook Technical Committee.
• For more information about the sport fisheries in Southeast Alaska, contact the nearest Southeast Alaska ADF&G office.

• Filleting and De-heading of Lingcod, King and Coho Salmon and Non-pelagic Rockfish is Prohibited Again this Season in the Ketchikan Marine Boat Sport Fisheries

• Marine boat anglers returning to any port connected to the Ketchikan road system from April 28 through September 28 are prohibited from filleting, mutilating, or heading sport caught king salmon, coho salmon, and lingcod until the fish have been brought to shore and offloaded, unless the fish have been consumed or preserved onboard. Anglers are allowed to gut and gill these fish before returning to port. For the purposes of this regulation, anglers are allowed to fillet and head fish on their boats once they are tied up at a docking facility.
• The purpose of this restriction is to maximize fishery information available through our angler interview program. The department conducts on-site creel sampling during the fishing season at Ketchikan ports in order to estimate the amount of sport fishing effort, harvest, and contribution of hatchery fish and several important local wild stocks of king salmon to our local sport fisheries.
• For more information on filleting and de-heading regulations please see this news release.

• Halibut

• Anglers averaged one halibut for every 5 hours fished. Last year anglers averaged 6 rod hours per halibut with a five-year average of 5-rod hours per fish. 
• For more information on halibut fishing in the Ketchikan area visit the Ketchikan Sport Fishing Guide.

• Coho Salmon

• Anglers averaged one coho for every 5 hours fished. Last year anglers averaged 3 rod hours per coho with a five-year average of 2 rod hours per fish. 

• Pink Salmon

• Anglers averaged one pink for every 472 hours fished. Last year anglers averaged 1449 rod hours per pink with a five-year average of 515 rod hours per fish. 
• For more information on fishing for salmon in the Ketchikan area visit the Ketchikan Sport Fishing Guide.

• Lingcod Open

• Fishing for lingcod in the Ketchikan area was opened May 16 and will remain open through November 30th. During this period, the bag and possession limits will be one lingcod per day and two in possession, with no size limit for all non-guided resident anglers. For lingcod harvested by guided and nonresident anglers, a 30-inch minimum and 40-inch maximum size limit will be in effect. The Nonresident lingcod annual limit will be one fish. Nonresident anglers fishing are reminded that upon landing and retaining a lingcod they must enter the date and location of catch, in ink, on the back of their sport fishing license or harvest record reporting form before continuing to fish. Additionally, guided and nonresident anglers may land lingcod only by hand or with a landing net. Lingcod regulations can be found on page 11 of the 2008 Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulation Summary.
• For more information on lingcod regulations visit emergency orders and news releases.

• Rockfish

• The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced today the sport fishing bag and possession limits, and the mandatory retention of non-pelagic rockfish. Nonresident angler annual limits of yelloweye rockfish have also been established for the 2008 season. The following regulations become effective 12:01 A.M. May 1, 2008.
• All non-pelagic rockfish caught must be retained until the bag limit is reached.
• The resident bag limit is three non-pelagic rockfish only one of which may be a yelloweye; possession limit of six fish, two of which may be yelloweye.
• The nonresident bag limit is two non-pelagic rockfish only one of which may be a yelloweye; possession limit of four fish, two of which may be yelloweye; with an annual limit of two yelloweye rockfish. Nonresident anglers must record all yelloweye rockfish harvested, in ink, either on the back of their sport fishing license, or on a nontransferable harvest record immediately.
• Charter operators and crew members may not retain non-pelagic rockfish while clients are on board the vessel.
• These regulations apply in all marine waters of Southeast Alaska as a means to reduce total mortality, keep regulations consistent to avoid angler confusion, and improve enforcement.
• For further information on rockfish regulations visit emergency orders and news releases.

• Dolly Varden

• Dolly Varden fishing along the roadside/shoreline should continue to improve as water temperatures warm and Dolly Varden migrate from overwintering lakes. Lake outlets and streams that connect to the salt water are prime places to harvest these fish in the spring.
• For more information on fishing for Dolly Varden in the Ketchikan area visit the Ketchikan Sport Fishing Guide.

• Trout

• For more information on fishing for steelhead and trout in the Ketchikan area visit the: Ketchikan Sport Fishing Guide.

• General

• All anglers are responsible for knowing the current regulations for the area that they will be fishing. Regulation handbooks and copies of the most current regulatory changes are available at the Ketchikan ADF&G office and on this web site. For further information contact Kelly Piazza, Ketchikan Assistant Area Management Biologist, at (907)225-2859. For more information on sport fishing in the Ketchikan area, please visit the Southeast Alaska Sport Fish webpage.

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Report From Alaska Fish and Game 

• Juneau Area
• Last week, no king salmon were encountered by the survey.  Last year at this time, it took 87-rod hours and the five-year average was 316-rod hours per fish.  Remember, to fish for kings, anglers must have in possession a 2008 fishing license and a king salmon stamp.
• Coho fishing was worse last week taking 95-rod hours per fish.  Last year at this time it took 17-rod hours and the five year average was at 6-rod hours.  There were not enough fish caught to calculate hot spots for coho.
• Halibut were encountered last week, taking 14-rod hours to harvest a halibut.  The prior year it took 30-rod hours and the five year average was at 8-rod hours per halibut.
• Anglers are reminded that the use of bait is allowed in freshwater, from September 15 – November 15 in streams that are open to fishing. 
• However, the following waters crossed by the Juneau road system are CLOSED YEAR ROUND to the use of bait:  Auke Lake, Mendenhall Lake, Glacier Lake, Moraine Lake, Windfall Lake, Peterson Creek Saltchuck (Salt Lake), and Montana Creek.

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Yakutat Angling Report
September 23- September 29, 2008

• Freshwater Angling

• Situk River- Situk River angling has been fair in the middle river to drift fishers but many lower river anglers have found few fish and difficult water conditions for angling.  Water flows have been well above average since September 6th.  Fish are holed up in log jams and backwater areas. Deep fishing lures and jigs seem to work when you can find the holding spots. Bait is not allowed on the Yakutat road system streams.
• Tsiu River- Tsiu River coho angling has been excellent. The weather has made it tough to get a flight in but the fish are there.  Experienced Tsiu anglers report better than average catches of large fish to 21 lbs.
• The Lost River and other Yakutat area streams –
  Lost River anglers have found a few fish coming in on every high tide. The exposed section of the lower river was rough last week due to winds and rain.  Fish will not hold in the Lower Lost River during high flows, so timing the tides is critical to catching fish. Some small holes up near the Lost River Bridge may hold some fish past the peak tide.
• Few reports have come in from Akwe and Italio. Weather has preempted any easy flights out to those rivers. Seal Creek was reportedly still producing some nice coho to the occasional duck hunter who brought a rod along.  East River anglers did report some good coho catches last week.
• Please see the emergency orders/news releases for the most recent information regarding the Situk River (Yakutat) sport fisheries.
• Current weir counts for Situk River.

• Marine Angling

• Marine angling has been fair for halibut and lingcod. Anglers heading out with a full boat load find most will get limits of halibut and there are still some large 100lb fish coming in. Effort is beginning to slow due to weather and the late season.
• Salmon angling in salt water was very slow with little effort last week as most anglers have switched to river fishing.
• Check: Yakutat weather and the satellite photo for the latest Yakutat weather conditions and general information on Yakutat sport fisheries.
• For further information, anglers can call Brian Marston at the ADF&G, Division of Sport Fish in Yakutat, at (907) 784-3222, or 784-3255 if there is no answer.

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Report from Alaska Fish and Game

Personal Use

The Chitina Subdistrict opened Tuesday, August 5 at 12:01.a.m. and closes Sunday, August 10 at 11:59 p.m. The Chitina Subdistrict will reopen 12 noon Tuesday, August 12 and close 11:59 p.m. Sunday August 17. There are no supplemental periods during these fishing openings. Fishing is fair this week and people are getting there limits of sockeye and even a few kings are being caught. The preliminary season schedule is based on the projected daily sonar counts at the Miles Lake sonar and is subject to change based on actual salmon escapement. The total seasonal limit is 15 salmon for a household of one, and 30 salmon for a household of two or more of which only one may be a king salmon.

The sonar at Miles Lake was removed on Aug 2.

King Salmon Fishing

King salmon fishing is closed in all area rivers and streams of the Copper River Drainage. Please remember to respect private property owner’s lands as access is very limited along the Klutina, Tonsina and Gulkana Rivers. More information can be found on the Fish Counts pages.

Sockeye Salmon Fishing

Sockeye fishing is slow in the Klutina and Gulkana Rivers due to lower numbers of fish and few sockeye are being taken. Water levels this week on the Gulkana River are higher than at spring runoff levels due to continuing rain. The counting tower is still operational and counting has been on and off due to conditions of the water clarity. Sockeye are present in the Tonsina River in smaller numbers which sees little pressure from sport fisherman.

Lake Trout

The larger lakes which include Lake Louise, Paxson, Summit, Susitna, and Tyone should continue to produce good catches of fish throughout the summer.

Stocked Lakes

Tolsona Lake was stocked July, 2 with 30,000 rainbow fry. Past access issues have been resolved and parking is available but respect local land owners private property. Previous lakes stocked in 2007 with fingerling rainbow trout are Ryan, Buffalo and Tex Smith Lakes on the Glenn Highway. Old Road and Round lakes off the Lake Louise Road and Two Mile and Three Mile lakes along the Edgerton Highway were also stocked in 2007. These lakes should contain limited number of catchable fish through 2009. For the best rainbow trout fishing head out the McCarthy Road to Strelna, Silver, and Sculpin Lakes which offer the best opportunity to catch more and a possibility to catch larger fish. Silver and Sculpin Lakes were recently stocked with catchable rainbow trout and Strelna Lake has a good population of stocked rainbow trout and coho salmon. These lakes have walk in access only, canoes and small boats can be carried in from the McCarthy Road. Peanut and Tolsona Mountain Lakes are also excellent lakes for rainbow trout but an ATV is helpful to access them. These two lakes are not readily available to the road system and have been stocked in past years and receive little pressure. Stocked and wild lake depth maps can be found at the Lake Data pages.

Arctic Grayling

Rivers to try are the Gulkana River on the Richardson Highway and the Little Nelchina River and Mendeltna Creek on the Glenn Highway. The Little Nelchina River has been running high most of the summer from rains in the Talkeetnas. The Gulkana River is a premier stream for grayling from the outlet at Paxson to the bridge on the Richardson Highway. Wild rainbows may even be caught in the Gulkana River but no retention is allowed and fish must be returned to the water unharmed. Small flies either wet or dry are worth a try. Many of the small lakes on the Lake Louise Road contain grayling populations and on the Nabesna Road, Long Lake and Jack Lake are good bets for grayling. Moose Creek in Glennallen is open to use of bait and this makes for a golden opportunity for teaching younger and inexperienced persons to fish.

Dolly Varden

Rivers and streams to try are the Big and Little Tonsina and the Klutina River along the Richardson Highway.

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Report from Alaska Fish and Game

Bristol Bay Area

Week of August 6 through August 12

Issued August 6, 2008

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

• Sport fishing for king salmon fishing is now closed throughout Bristol Bay.

• Alagnak River - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game increased the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon from 5 per day to 10 per day in all waters of the Alagnak River drainage effective 12:01 a.m., Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The limit for other salmon, except king and sockeye salmon, remains at 5 per day, 5 in possession, of which only 3 may be coho salmon. These limits are in combination with the more liberal limits for sockeye salmon.

• Naknek River - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game increased the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon from 5 per day to 10 per day in all waters of the Naknek River drainage open to the harvest of salmon effective 12:01 a.m., Wednesday, July 16, 2008. The limit for other salmon, except king and sockeye salmon, remains at 5 per day, 5 in possession. These limits are in combination with the more liberal limits for sockeye salmon.

Fresh waters

Silver Salmon

• Naknek and Alagnak drainages: Sport fishing is reported as fair to good and should continue to be good this week.

• Nushagak drainages: Sport fishing is currently good to very good and will likely improve this week.

• Togiak River and nearby drainages: Sport fishing is reported as fair to good and will likely improve throughout this week.

Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic Grayling

• Alagnak and Naknek drainages: Sport fishing for rainbow trout in the Alagnak is reported as good. On the Naknek, sport fishing remains fair to good for rainbow trout.

• Togiak River and nearby drainages: Sport fishing for Dolly Varden, rainbow trout, and Arctic grayling is reported as very good.

• Wood River Lakes system: Sport fishing for char is reported to be very good to excellent at the outlets of salmon spawning streams as smolt continue to migrate downriver. Try jigging spoons or casting shiny spinners or smolt patterns to imitate outmigrating smolt.

Northern Pike

• Alagnak and Naknek drainages: Angling is reportedly fair to very good. Try casting weedless spoons or large black or purple bunny flies.

• Wood River Lake system: Sport fishing is fair to good along lake and slough shores and in shallow, weedy bays. Again, try casting weedless spoons or stripping large bunny flies.

Salt waters

Halibut

• Nushagak Bay: Sport fishing should remain fair off the coast of Protection Point.

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Report from Alaska Fish and Game

It should be noted that fishing is expected to be extremely poor due to the recent flooding in all areas of the Tanana River drainages. Rivers/Streams

Salmon

Fishing for kings is very slow in the Chena River, and in the Salcha River. The fish counting panels were pulled from the Chena River during the evening of 29 July. The water conditions at the Salcha River counting station have caused the counts to be suspended. You can monitor salmon run numbers on many rivers throughout the state by visiting our Fish Counts page.

The daily bag/possession limit for king salmon in the Chena River is one fish over 20 inches and ten fish 20 inches or less. The Chena River is closed to salmon fishing upstream from the ADF&G markers located 300 feet downstream of the Chena River dam. The Salcha River is closed to salmon fishing upstream of the ADF&G markers located about 2.5 miles upstream of the Richardson Highway Bridge. Fishing from the Richardson Highway Bridge over the Salcha River is prohibited.

Anglers are reminded that both king and chum salmon may be carrying radio tags. These fish will be marked with yellow, pink, or green “spaghetti” tags (so named because they are the size and shape of a strand of spaghetti) near the base of the dorsal fin. Anglers catching a fish with a tag or internal radio transmitter should call Fish and Game, Commercial Fish Division at 459-7274.

Try using brightly colored spoons/spinners, multicolored egg patterns, or Okie Drifters. Bait may be used in both the Chena & Salcha Rivers, but only on single hooks with a gap size greater than 3/4 inch.

Resident Species

Fish for Northern Pike at the mouths of sloughs and in deep, slow-moving holes. Try using daredevils, cyclops, red eyes, or any other flashy spoon. Usually by this time of year George Creek (the outlet of Lake George) is too low for travel into the lake, but because of all the past rain in the Delta area, George Lake should be high enough to allow travel to the lake. George Creek can be expected to drop to normal levels if dry weather prevails in the Delta Area. The pike fishing is usually good at George Lake.

Try fishing Arctic grayling in the upper Chena River, Chatanika River, or the Delta Clearwater River. Remember, however, that the Chena & Delta Clearwater Rivers and all their tributaries are catch & release only for Arctic grayling. Arctic grayling tend to hang out in holes just below fast moving water or riffles. When fly fishing for Arctic grayling, try small dry flies or nymphs. When spin fishing and all else fails with Arctic grayling, try using white twister tails.

Lakes

Stocked lakes are providing some good fishing. The high water produced by the continuous rain showers in the interior is not always conducive to good fishing. If the weather breaks this weekend, fishing should be more productive. Early morning and mid to late evening fishing outings will probably yield the best results.

You can pick up a booklet on the over 100 stocked lakes of the Tanana Valley at the Fairbanks, Delta or Tok ADF&G office. Other stocked lakes brochures include: Fishing the Stocked Lakes of Fort Greely, Fishing Quartz Lake ,and Fishing the Rivers and Lakes of the Upper Copper/Upper Susitina. You can also access these and many other publications on the web.

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Report from Alaska Fish and Game

Prince William Sound and the Copper River Delta Area

Week of August 5 to August 11

Issued August 5, 2008

Emergency Order and regulation reminders

• Emergency Order 2-R-3-03-08 went into effect on May 24, 2008; a sport-fishing guide or sport fishing crewmember working on a charter vessel in the salt waters of Southcentral Alaska may not retain any species of fish while paying clients are on board the vessel. The maximum number of lines that may be fished from a vessel engaged in guided sport fishing in salt waters may not exceed the number of paying clients onboard the vessel.

Fresh waters

Salmon

• Eshamy Creek weir has passed more than 4,000 sockeye salmon as of August 4. This is still slightly below projected escapement. Sockeye salmon and some pink salmon are being seen below the weir and are continuing to move up.

• A few sockeye salmon are still being seen at the Eyak River weir. Very few bright fish are being caught as most fish have turned red.

• McKinley Lake has very few bright sockeye left.

• A few silver salmon have begun to show in Copper River Delta streams, but fishing is slow.

Trout, Dolly Varden, Grayling

• Cutthroat trout are spreading out more as they are following salmon to their spawning grounds.

• Trout and Dolly Varden can be caught this time of year in Prince William Sound streams where salmon are spawning.

• Dolly Varden are also abundant in Prince William Sound lake systems, where they will be feeding on salmon spawn.

Lake Fishing

• Coghill Lake has lots of red salmon and some pink salmon. High water has pushed most of the remaining red salmon run up into the lake.

• Eshamy Lake fishing is beginning to pick up. We have not reached the peak of this run though it is fast approaching.

Salt waters Halibut & Lingcod

• Halibut fishing is continuing to improve this week in Prince William Sound. Small- and medium-sized halibut have been reported in Orca Bay.

• Valdez Halibut Derby has a new leader with a 251.5 pound halibut caught on Sunday.

• Lingcod of all sizes have been reported throughout PWS.

• Lingcod are feeding on pink salmon and will take large jigs as well as bait herring.

Salmon

• Pink salmon are still be seen and caught around Hartney Bay and Flemming Spit.

• Pink salmon are still being reported around Valdez with some chum salmon mixed in.

• Silver salmon are being reported from Galena Bay on in to Port Valdez. Not a lot of fish yet, but numbers are continuing to increase.

• Expect to see silvers showing up off creek mouths as the peak of this run is fast approaching.

Shellfish

• Passage Canal is still producing shrimp. Pink salmon heads make great bait.

• Whittier shrimpers report good luck in the Port Nellie Juan area.

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Report from Alaska Fish and Game

Kodiak Area

Week of August 4 through August 10

Issued August 5, 2008

Emergency Orders and regulation reminders

• Details of all Emergency Orders that have been issued this year can be found online at the “2008 Regulation Changes” link below.

• Fishing for sockeye salmon is closed in the Buskin River drainage.

• The Saltery River drainage bag limit for sockeye salmon has been increased to 10 fish per day and in possession.

• Anglers are reminded that from August 1 – September 15, for streams draining into Monashka and Chiniak Bays, waters above the highway are closed to salmon fishing. This upriver closure does not apply to the Buskin River or Kalsin Pond, which are open to salmon fishing all year.

Fresh waters

Salmon

• The Saltery sockeye return usually ends by early August, but weir counts are still averaging 1,000 fish a day. The weir count as of August 4 was 46,000. The escapement goal range of 15,000 to 30,000 has been exceeded and the bag limit has been increased to 10 sockeye per day. The run should be winding down this week.

• Pink salmon are entering road system streams and the return should peak in mid-August. Pink salmon fishing in the lower Buskin River has been reported as good and the weir count as of August 4 was 9,000 fish.

• Coho (silver) salmon don’t start to show up in road system streams until mid- to late August, however, coho show up in early August around Afognak and Shuyak islands. Afognak, Pauls, and Shuyak bays offer some good coho fishing in early August with returns peaking during the last week of August.

Trout, Dolly Varden

• Dolly Varden are present in most road system streams. Dolly Varden take spinners and flies this time of year.

Salt waters

Halibut

• Halibut fishing is good during August. Some good spots for halibut are Buoy 4 and Cape Chiniak. Herring, salmon heads, and jigs work well for halibut.

Salmon

• Trolling for king salmon was excellent last week and remains good. Coho catches are also picking up.

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