Area Sport Fishing Reports
Sitka

August 9, 2024

Salmon

King salmon fishing has passed its peak for the year, though the traditional hot spots are still good places to try if the weather allows – Vitskari Rocks, Cape Edgcumbe, and Biorka Island. Sport fishing has reopened at Medvejie hatchery. Coho are in and are expected to increase throughout August. In late August/September they will begin to enter their natal freshwater streams where numbers will increase into October. Pink and chum salmon are in with good numbers, already beginning to enter their freshwater stages.

Halibut

Fishing for halibut is open. Fishing for halibut is good and stays relatively consistent through the summer. These fish will begin to show up in greater numbers as weather warms and other fisheries move more inshore. See NOAA for sport fishing regulations.

Lingcod

For all anglers, the fishing season opened May 16. The resident season will run through the end of November. There was a midseason closure for nonresident anglers From June 15th through the end of July. Fishing for nonresidents has reopened as of August 1^st and will run through November.

Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR)

In 2022, Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR) was opened to provide opportunity for residents. Resident anglers are allowed one DSR rockfish daily, two in possession, EXCLUDING YELLOWEYE. DSR are a subset of nonpelagic rockfish including: Yelloweye, Quillback, China, Tiger, Rosethorn, Copper, and Canary.

Slope Rockfish

All anglers are allowed one daily, two in possession. The most common slope rockfish include: Redbanded, Rougheye, Silvergray, Shortraker, and Vermilion.

Pelagic Rockfish

Fishing for rockfish is good year-round. The most commonly caught pelagic rockfish in the Sitka Area are the Black and Yellowtail, although Duskys aren’t uncommon. Try fishing around underwater structures near kelp beds with a dart or jig. These rockfish make for excellent table fare.

Anglers are allowed 5 daily, 10 in possession, with the exception of CSEO (Sitka Area), where residents are allowed four a day, eight in possession, and nonresidents are allowed two daily, four in possession. See the Sitka Area Special Exceptions for a map of CSEO on page 22 of the Southeast Regulation Summary.

The department has developed a guide to assist anglers in identifying species groupings. If you’d like a copy of this on waterproof paper, stop by the office for a free one.

Shellfish

Be sure to check your local fishing regulations to be aware of harvest limits, size requirements and necessary permits for shellfish. Also be aware that certain types of shellfish in Southeast Alaska have been known to cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) which can be fatal.

For Dungeness crab, try placing pots in bays and around the mouths of river where crabs congregate to feed. If fishing with friends, be sure to keep each angler’s catch separate to avoid pooling bag limits.

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 feel free to contact the Sitka area sportfish management staff at (907) 747-5355.