06-16-2004, 02:43 PM
This is the Haines and Skagway Sport Fishing Report
King salmon bag and possession limits for anglers fishing in Chilkat Inlet increased effective June 3rd through July 31st (see announcement below). Over the past week it took an average of 39 rod hours of effort to catch a king salmon in the Haines area. This is below the five year average of 29 hours per king for this week. Look for fishing to be good over the next week or so as mature king salmon continue migrating into the area (see below for average weekly king salmon catch rates for Haines).
We are expecting the first significant return of hatchery king salmon to the Skagway Area from smolt released in 2000 and 2001. As a result, look for king salmon fishing to be good in Taiya Inlet during June and July. Special king salmon regulations for anglers fishing in Taiya Inlet north of the latitude of Taiya Point are in effect through Thursday July 31, 2004. During this period, the daily bag and possession limit in Taiya Inlet is two king salmon of any size, and king salmon caught in Taiya Inlet do not count toward the nonresident annual limit. In addition, the salt water area off the mouth of Pullen Creek is closed to sport fishing during this time. More information on these regulations is provided below under the Taiya Inlet Hatchery Terminal Harvest Area. Last week it took an average of 19 rod hours of effort to catch a king salmon 28 inches or greater in length in Taiya Inlet. This is better than the average of 39 hours per king for that week.
We are optimistic that the return of sockeye salmon to Chilkoot Lake will be within the escapement goal range this year. The weir was installed on June 4th and by June 13th, 405 sockeye had been counted through which is about average for that date. We will be closely monitoring the return and take management actions if necessary. Average daily weir counts of salmon are presented below.
There have been very few people fishing for halibut so far. Halibut fishing should improve as they migrate into shallow waters to feed this summer. Dolly Varden are dropping out of local lakes and streams to feed in salt water. Dolly Varden can be caught in saltwater along the shorelines of Chilkat Inlet, Lutak Inlet, and Portage Cove, and in freshwater along the Chilkat and Chilkoot Rivers. The limit for Dolly Varden is 10 per day and in possession except in the Chilkoot drainage where the bag and possession limit is four Dolly Varden.
King salmon bag and possession limits for anglers fishing in Chilkat Inlet increased effective June 3rd through July 31st (see announcement below). Over the past week it took an average of 39 rod hours of effort to catch a king salmon in the Haines area. This is below the five year average of 29 hours per king for this week. Look for fishing to be good over the next week or so as mature king salmon continue migrating into the area (see below for average weekly king salmon catch rates for Haines).
We are expecting the first significant return of hatchery king salmon to the Skagway Area from smolt released in 2000 and 2001. As a result, look for king salmon fishing to be good in Taiya Inlet during June and July. Special king salmon regulations for anglers fishing in Taiya Inlet north of the latitude of Taiya Point are in effect through Thursday July 31, 2004. During this period, the daily bag and possession limit in Taiya Inlet is two king salmon of any size, and king salmon caught in Taiya Inlet do not count toward the nonresident annual limit. In addition, the salt water area off the mouth of Pullen Creek is closed to sport fishing during this time. More information on these regulations is provided below under the Taiya Inlet Hatchery Terminal Harvest Area. Last week it took an average of 19 rod hours of effort to catch a king salmon 28 inches or greater in length in Taiya Inlet. This is better than the average of 39 hours per king for that week.
We are optimistic that the return of sockeye salmon to Chilkoot Lake will be within the escapement goal range this year. The weir was installed on June 4th and by June 13th, 405 sockeye had been counted through which is about average for that date. We will be closely monitoring the return and take management actions if necessary. Average daily weir counts of salmon are presented below.
There have been very few people fishing for halibut so far. Halibut fishing should improve as they migrate into shallow waters to feed this summer. Dolly Varden are dropping out of local lakes and streams to feed in salt water. Dolly Varden can be caught in saltwater along the shorelines of Chilkat Inlet, Lutak Inlet, and Portage Cove, and in freshwater along the Chilkat and Chilkoot Rivers. The limit for Dolly Varden is 10 per day and in possession except in the Chilkoot drainage where the bag and possession limit is four Dolly Varden.