The following press release is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:
Sitka Fishing Report
April 26, 2024
As the days get longer and you start gearing up for the season, don’t forget to buy your 2024 fishing license. Charter operators and business owners, register online or in person for your 2024 elogbook.
Salmon
The warm weather brought many boats out of hibernation for the summer. Some fishermen reported luck to the kings. The creel season just started this week, so no catch-per-effort data is available yet, however, anecdotally, many anglers have had success for kings particularly at Vitskari Rocks. As with the last couple of years, there have been several reports of small kings being caught. Fishing for kings should be better over the next couple of months. Other salmon will move inshore later in the season as the weather warms.
Steelhead
Steelhead season is here and the peak run timing for many systems around the Sitka Area is the first and second week of May. Preliminary surveys of steelhead streams around the region have shown typical numbers of fish. The water is a bit warmer than usual which may change the run time just a few days earlier.
Dolly Varden
Fishing for Dollies can also be good this time of year. Often schools of dollys are attracted to out-migrating salmon fry (this increases over the next few weeks). Look for them in saltwater near the mouths of creeks and sometimes up one-way streams. Smolt or fry patterns are great for them. All streams in the Sitka Area have at least a small population of Dolly Varden.
Halibut
Fishing for halibut is open. Halibut fishing is good and remains fairly consistent throughout the summer. These fish will begin to show up in greater numbers as the weather warms and other fisheries move inshore.
Sunday
For all anglers, the fishing season is opening May 16. The resident season runs until the end of November. There will be closing midseason for non-resident fishermen From June 15th to the end of July. Fishing will reopen on August 1St and will also run through November.
Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR)
In 2022, Demersal Shelf Rockfish (DSR) was opened to give residents an opportunity. Resident anglers are allowed one DSR rockfish daily, two keepers, EXCEPT YELLOWEYE. DSR is a subset of nonpelagic rockfish including: Yelloweye, Quillback, China, Tiger, Rosethorn, Copper, and Canary.
Slope Rockfish
All anglers are allowed one every day, two holders. The most common slope rockfish include: Redbanded, Rougheye, Silvergray, Shortraker, and Vermilion.
Pelagic Rockfish
Rockfish fishing is good all year round. The most common pelagic rockfish caught in the Sitka Area are Black and Yellowtail, although Duskys are not uncommon. Try fishing around underwater structure near kelp beds with a dart or jig. These rockfish make for excellent table fare at all times and in winter when salmon are harder to come by, they seem especially tasty,
Anglers are allowed 5 daily, 10 holders, except in the CSEO (Sitka Area), where residents are allowed four a day, eight holders, and non-residents are allowed two daily, four holders. See Sitka Area Special Exceptions for the CSEO map on page 22 of the Southeast Regulation Summary.
The department has developed a guide to assist anglers in identifying species groupings. If you would like a copy of this on waterproof paper, come to the office for free.
Shellfish
Be sure to check your local fishing regulations to find out harvest limits, size requirements and required permits for shellfish. Also note that certain types of shellfish in Southeast Alaska are known to cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) which can be fatal.
For Dungeness crab, try placing pots in bays and around river mouths where crabs congregate to feed. If fishing with friends, make sure each angler catches separately to avoid pooling bag limits.
Check out gofishak’s new interactive map to discover popular fishing locations and species run timing information, fishing gear options, and boat and angler access tips!
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact the Sitka area sportfish management staff at (907) 747-5355.
