Yakutat Fishing Update: Situk Coho ‘Spotty’ But Improving

The following is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

NEW! Check out the wefishak page on the ADF&G website for 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!

* Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing the current State of Alaska Health Mandates in effect. This includes practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing and wearing a face covering when fishing and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.

Freshwaters

Coho Salmon

Water conditions on the Situk River are good right now. The current CFS is in the mid-400’s making for decent wading conditions. The forecast calls for a weather break over the weekend which should make fishing conditions good through early next week. Fishing has been spotty recently, with anglers doing well on incoming tides in the lower river, but not so good further upstream where thousands of pink salmon are spawning and creating less than ideal conditions. Fishing seems to slow down during commercial fishing periods from Sunday through Wednesday. Data so far from commercial catches indicate that the run is about half of what it typically averages since 2010, however weekly catches continue to increase which suggests the run could be anywhere from 2-3 weeks late.

Coho salmon are also being caught in other freshwater streams including the Tsiu, Italio, Akwe, Lost, and Tawah, although fishing has been reported as spotty in those locations as well.

Popular lures for coho on the Situk include #5 spinners, spoons, jigs, and brightly colored flies. Try to find the areas where the coho separate from the more numerous pink salmon.

Pink Salmon

Pink fishing is slowing down on the lower Situk River. Fish quality is also deteriorating as the pinks prepare to spawn. Try using any brightly colored lure with a hook.

Saltwaters

King Salmon

King salmon fishing continues to be slow. Coho salmon and pink salmon have moved into the area making it difficult to find the kings. Some good fishing locations include Ocean Cape, Monti Bay, and Kahntaak Island. Most anglers are trolling spoons or herring behind a flasher near the shoreline or around rocky structures. Try fishing in 40-70 feet of water while trolling your gear between 20-40 feet deep.

Coho Salmon

Coho salmon fishing continues to be surprisingly decent through the last week, which seems later than normal. Coho is being caught near Ocean Cape, Monti Bay, and Kahntaak Island. Most anglers are trolling spoons or herring behind a flasher near the shoreline or around rocky structures. Try fishing in 40-70 feet of water while trolling your gear between 20-40 feet deep. Mooching is also an effective method when a group of coho is found.

Halibut

Halibut fishing has slowed down recently with bad marine weather limiting where anglers can fish. Fish size has also diminished recently with smaller fish being brought back. Reports of dogfish are still being reported but at a lesser preponderance. Try fishing nearshore within the islands or near creek mouths for something different or to get out of the weather.

Lingcod

Lingcod fishing is good right now if you can get out to where they are. Fish near rocky structures or pinnacles with lead/rubber jigs or herring for the best success.

Rockfish

Fishing for black rockfish is excellent in the Yakutat area if you can get out where they are. Fish near rocky structures or pinnacles with small metal jigs/darts or mooch herring for the best success.

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