Area Sport Fishing Reports
Yakutat

June 19, 2024

Freshwaters

Sockeye Salmon

There are good numbers of sockeye salmon in the Situk River. The weir has passed about ~5,000 sockeye upstream so far. There are good numbers of schools holding downstream of the weir to the mouth. Numbers should continue to build throught the coming weeks. Fishing for sockeye is good right now on the Situk River.

Dolly Varden

Dolly fishing is excellent right now on the Situk. Dollies are spread throughout the drainage and are feeding on salmon fry and smolt exiting the system.

Saltwaters

King Salmon

Sportfishing for king salmon is open in Yakutat area marine waters. Reports from marine anglers continue to describe slow fishing for kings in Yakutat Bay. Fishing continues to be really spotty and there continues to be a lack of bait fish inside the islands. Water temps have increaseds since the last report with temps around ~53 degrees Fahrenheit, so hopefully bait starts moving inside soon. Based on reports, fishing is more successful along the outer coast waters than inside the bay, but is still very slow. Most anglers troll spoons or herring behind a flasher.

Halibut

Halibut fishing has been excellent recently with nice marine weather and some nice fish being brought in consistently. Dogfish, however, have already been reported in the area reeking havoc on halibut anglers and their fishing gear, but aren't at full strength yet so fishing is still pleasant. 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.

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