06-16-2004, 02:50 PM
Petersburg/Wrangell King Salmon fishing:
Saltwater fishing activity has been strong lately as anglers have been catching chinook salmon as they pass through area waters on their way to spawning rivers. Petersburg has just finished with the annual King Salmon Derby this past weekend, in which anglers entered 503 king salmon this year, up from last year's 287. The largest fish was 52.1 pounds, and neither of the tagged salmon were caught. Good weather, strong salmon returns, and small tides likely contributed to this year's success. The Wrangell King Salmon Derby is still continues, as it spans a much longer period, and so far a 55 pound fish has led since the opening weekend.
Fishing activity for salmon during the derby was spread throughout the Petersburg and Wrangell areas, with no clear hot spot among those fished. For post-derby anglers in Petersburg, areas that should remain productive near the Southern end of Mitkof Island include Woodpecker Cove, Point Alexander, and the lower Wrangell Narrows. Anglers will also find king salmon in areas near Petersburg such as Beacon Point Point Frederick, and Coney Island. A few fish are being caught already in Wrangell Narrows, with a few chinook reportedly caught near Blind Slough. Fishing south of Mitkof Island in Sumner Strait and the around the islands near Wrangell have also been productive for Wrangell anglers. Closer to Wrangell, Babbler Point or right in front of town off Point Highfield are good places to find chinook this time of year. Sumner Strait (near Baht Harbor) Vank Island, and Elephants Nose are also popular places to fish. Another location near Wrangell will be the approaches to, and at Anita Bay, as returns will be building from the transferred stocking program previously at Earl West Cove. Last weeks catch rate for chinook salmon was 9 hours per fish in Wrangell, but no catch rate information was available for Petersburg during derby week. In all locations close to Petersburg and Wrangell, trolling a fresh or frozen herring is the method of choice among local anglers.
Recent Management actions: Crystal Lake Hatchery chinook are showing up in Wrangell Narrows with a modest return of chinook salmon forcasted to return this year, similar to the levels observed in 2003. The 2004 projected return to Wrangell Narrows includes approximately 4,400 adult chinook. A news release on May 28 announced the increased bag and possession limits for hatchery return king salmon in the Wrangell Narrows/Blind Slough terminal harvest area. In this area, the sport fishing bag and possession limits for all anglers will increase to three king salmon 28 inches or more in length and three king salmon less than 28 inches in length from June 1, 2003 through July 31, 2003. The slight reduction in bag limits this year is to better achieve spawning escapement to the Crystal Lake Hatchery at the head of Blind Slough. The Wrangell Narrows-Blind Slough terminal harvest area near Petersburg is described as: that portion of Wrangell Narrows, south of 56O 46' N. latitude (Martinsen's dock) and east of the longitude, and north of the latitude, of the northern tip (Inlet Point) of Woewodski Island, and; the waters of Blind Slough upstream of a line between Blind Point and Anchor Point. An important distinction for King salmon caught by nonresident anglers in this area is that king salmon greater than 28 inches caught in this area, during this period, do not count toward the 2004 nonresident annual limit (3 fish). Resident and non-resident anglers planning to fish there should also refer to the 2004 Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary, and examine maps showing the boundaries of areas where different regulations exist in fresh and salt waters for chinook salmon. Maps of the terminal area are available at the Petersburg Fish and Game office, and posted locally at South, Middle, North Harbors, at the Blind River rapids access, and at Papke's Landing.
Crystal Lake Hatchery chinook will start showing up in greater numbers than at the current time, however but it is likely that the sport fishery may be similar to 2003. Recent report s have indicated some catches in the Wrangell Narrows, and fish will soon be entering the fresh water areas used by shore-based anglers.
Some King salmon reminders:
[ul] [li]Remember, the Grey's Pass closure for salmon fishing near the mouth of the Stikine River went into effect April 16th and remains closed through June 14th; [li]The regional daily bag and possession limit for Alaska residents is two king salmon 28 inches or greater in length; no annual limit king salmon 28 inches or more in length; [li]For Nonresidents the regional daily bag and possession limit is one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length and the annual limit is three fish; and, [li]Please don't forget to purchase your King salmon stamp. [/li][/ul]
Other area fishing:
Although it's still early for good halibut fishing, but there have been some reports of the fish already in shallower waters than typical for this time of year. Some anglers reported moderate sized halibut while fishing in the local king salmon derby. These 30 to 70 pound fish have been attacking baits fished for salmon in relatively shallow water. Although fishing may be slow, traditional fishing areas such as The Eye Opener in Sumner Strait or north of town in Frederick Sound may be worth a try. Large halibut tend to be at 300 feet or greater near Portage Bay, try to fish the slack tides with heavy duty gear and use whole herring for bait. If you are fishing from a small skiff and need to stay close to town, fish just south of the red buoy just outside of Wrangell Narrows in 300 to 400 feet of water.
Sea run cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden are continuing to drop out of area lakes and heading out to sea. Anglers can find them in at the Blind River, Petersburg Creek, around most of the city docks, and in Wrangell Narrows along North Nordic Drive. In Wrangell, Pats Lake is a good spot to fish.
Saltwater fishing activity has been strong lately as anglers have been catching chinook salmon as they pass through area waters on their way to spawning rivers. Petersburg has just finished with the annual King Salmon Derby this past weekend, in which anglers entered 503 king salmon this year, up from last year's 287. The largest fish was 52.1 pounds, and neither of the tagged salmon were caught. Good weather, strong salmon returns, and small tides likely contributed to this year's success. The Wrangell King Salmon Derby is still continues, as it spans a much longer period, and so far a 55 pound fish has led since the opening weekend.
Fishing activity for salmon during the derby was spread throughout the Petersburg and Wrangell areas, with no clear hot spot among those fished. For post-derby anglers in Petersburg, areas that should remain productive near the Southern end of Mitkof Island include Woodpecker Cove, Point Alexander, and the lower Wrangell Narrows. Anglers will also find king salmon in areas near Petersburg such as Beacon Point Point Frederick, and Coney Island. A few fish are being caught already in Wrangell Narrows, with a few chinook reportedly caught near Blind Slough. Fishing south of Mitkof Island in Sumner Strait and the around the islands near Wrangell have also been productive for Wrangell anglers. Closer to Wrangell, Babbler Point or right in front of town off Point Highfield are good places to find chinook this time of year. Sumner Strait (near Baht Harbor) Vank Island, and Elephants Nose are also popular places to fish. Another location near Wrangell will be the approaches to, and at Anita Bay, as returns will be building from the transferred stocking program previously at Earl West Cove. Last weeks catch rate for chinook salmon was 9 hours per fish in Wrangell, but no catch rate information was available for Petersburg during derby week. In all locations close to Petersburg and Wrangell, trolling a fresh or frozen herring is the method of choice among local anglers.
Recent Management actions: Crystal Lake Hatchery chinook are showing up in Wrangell Narrows with a modest return of chinook salmon forcasted to return this year, similar to the levels observed in 2003. The 2004 projected return to Wrangell Narrows includes approximately 4,400 adult chinook. A news release on May 28 announced the increased bag and possession limits for hatchery return king salmon in the Wrangell Narrows/Blind Slough terminal harvest area. In this area, the sport fishing bag and possession limits for all anglers will increase to three king salmon 28 inches or more in length and three king salmon less than 28 inches in length from June 1, 2003 through July 31, 2003. The slight reduction in bag limits this year is to better achieve spawning escapement to the Crystal Lake Hatchery at the head of Blind Slough. The Wrangell Narrows-Blind Slough terminal harvest area near Petersburg is described as: that portion of Wrangell Narrows, south of 56O 46' N. latitude (Martinsen's dock) and east of the longitude, and north of the latitude, of the northern tip (Inlet Point) of Woewodski Island, and; the waters of Blind Slough upstream of a line between Blind Point and Anchor Point. An important distinction for King salmon caught by nonresident anglers in this area is that king salmon greater than 28 inches caught in this area, during this period, do not count toward the 2004 nonresident annual limit (3 fish). Resident and non-resident anglers planning to fish there should also refer to the 2004 Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary, and examine maps showing the boundaries of areas where different regulations exist in fresh and salt waters for chinook salmon. Maps of the terminal area are available at the Petersburg Fish and Game office, and posted locally at South, Middle, North Harbors, at the Blind River rapids access, and at Papke's Landing.
Crystal Lake Hatchery chinook will start showing up in greater numbers than at the current time, however but it is likely that the sport fishery may be similar to 2003. Recent report s have indicated some catches in the Wrangell Narrows, and fish will soon be entering the fresh water areas used by shore-based anglers.
Some King salmon reminders:
[ul] [li]Remember, the Grey's Pass closure for salmon fishing near the mouth of the Stikine River went into effect April 16th and remains closed through June 14th; [li]The regional daily bag and possession limit for Alaska residents is two king salmon 28 inches or greater in length; no annual limit king salmon 28 inches or more in length; [li]For Nonresidents the regional daily bag and possession limit is one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length and the annual limit is three fish; and, [li]Please don't forget to purchase your King salmon stamp. [/li][/ul]
Other area fishing:
Although it's still early for good halibut fishing, but there have been some reports of the fish already in shallower waters than typical for this time of year. Some anglers reported moderate sized halibut while fishing in the local king salmon derby. These 30 to 70 pound fish have been attacking baits fished for salmon in relatively shallow water. Although fishing may be slow, traditional fishing areas such as The Eye Opener in Sumner Strait or north of town in Frederick Sound may be worth a try. Large halibut tend to be at 300 feet or greater near Portage Bay, try to fish the slack tides with heavy duty gear and use whole herring for bait. If you are fishing from a small skiff and need to stay close to town, fish just south of the red buoy just outside of Wrangell Narrows in 300 to 400 feet of water.
Sea run cutthroat trout and Dolly Varden are continuing to drop out of area lakes and heading out to sea. Anglers can find them in at the Blind River, Petersburg Creek, around most of the city docks, and in Wrangell Narrows along North Nordic Drive. In Wrangell, Pats Lake is a good spot to fish.