Listen to a RealAudio interview
(5:51) with Alaska Department of Fish and Game sport fish biologist Art Schmidt
(907/747-5355) for additional information about fishing in the Sitka, Alaska area.
Species
The most important three species are king and coho (silver)
salmon and halibut. Coho are abundant in the area, and King salmon numbers have improved
substantially in recent years.
The best halibut fishing is further from Sitka. Red
snapper, lingcod and other saltwater species are available. Dolly Varden, rainbow,
steelhead, and brook trout are found in Sitka area freshwater streams.
Area Sponsor
Geography
The Sitka area includes Baranof Island, the western part of
Chichagof Island, and many smaller adjacent islands. The islands are heavily forested, and
rise to snow-capped mountains along the spine of Baranof Island. A portion of the area is
protected from the open Pacific, and Sitka itself is in a partially protected
sound.
The
ample rainfall of the area produces many streams and lakes, most of which are populated by
fish.
Best saltwater fishing
times in the Sitka area (ADF&G data)
Species
Availability
Peak
King salmon
year round
May through July
Sockeye salmon
June through mid-August
July
Coho salmon
mid-July through mid September
mid July through September
Pink salmon
June through August
mid-July through mid-September
Chum salmon
June through mid September
June through mid-September
Dolly Varden
year round
June through mid-July
Cutthroat trout
May through September
June
Halibut
February through December
June through mid-September
Rockfish
year round
June through mid-September
Lingcod
year round
year round
Best freshwater
fishing times in the Sitka area (ADF&G data)
Species
Availability
Peak
King salmon
limited openings
mid-June through mid-August
Sockeye salmon
June through mid-September
July through August
Coho salmon
mid-June through mid-November
mid-August through mid-October
Pink salmon
June through August
mid-July through September
Chum salmon
July through October
August through mid-September
Dolly Varden
year round
July through October
Steelhead trout
mid-April through mid-June
mid-April through mid-June
Rainbow trout
year round
mid-May through June
Cutthroat trout
year round
May and June
Brook trout
year round
July through September
Grayling
year round
year round
Transportation
Access to the Sitka area is by aircraft or by boat
only. There is daily jet service to Sitka, and commuter airlines serve the smaller
communities nearby. The
Alaska Marine
Highway links this community with the rest of the region and the
Seattle area. The road system on Baranof Island is limited to the area around Sitka.
Most fishing access is by charter boat or float plane.
Weather
The Sitka area is wet by most standards, although the
summer months tend to have the best weather of the year. Rain or drizzle is the norm, but
periods of dry, sunny weather are typical during the summer.
Clothing in layers, effective raingear, and good
footwear are all important for anglers.
Current Alaska Department of Fish and Game fishing reports (updated regularly during the summer months)