07-24-2004, 03:04 PM
This is the Haines and Skagway Sport Fishing Report for the week of July 12-18, 2004
Fishing for king salmon continued to be very good in Taiya Inlet last week where it took an average of 5 rod hours of effort to catch a king salmon 28 inches or greater in length. This compares with the average of 30 hours per king for that week. 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 for the next several weeks. 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.
King salmon bag and possession limits for anglers fishing in Chilkat Inlet increased effective June 3rd through July 31st (see announcement below).
The number of sockeye salmon counted through the Chilkoot River picked up last week. The weir was pulled due to high water on June 19th, and was not fish tight until the afternoon of June 27th. As of July 18th, 13,557 sockeye had been counted through the weir but an unknown number passed through while the weir was open. Water levels have been high and steady for the past week. Anglers are allowed six sockeye per day and in possession in the Chilkoot River drainage.
The catch of sockeye salmon in the Chilkat River fish wheels has been slightly above average so far. As of July 18th, 1,270 sockeye had been caught in the Chilkat River fish wheels. This is compares with the average of 1,139 for this date. Good places to fish for them are in Chilkat Lake and clearwater tributaries of the river in coming weeks. Anglers are allowed six sockeye per day and twelve in possession in the Chilkat River drainage. Average daily fish wheel salmon catches are presented below.
It is shaping up to be another record year for pink salmon returning to the area. An all time record 1,155 had been counted through the Chilkoot River weir by July 18th. The average for this date is 200 pink salmon (see graph below). A total of 914 had been caught in the Chilkat River fish wheels as of July 18th which is also a record for this date (average = 327). Anglers are allowed to keep six per day and in possession in the Chilkoot River. In the Chilkat River you are allowed six pink salmon per day and twelve in possession.
Halibut fishing has been improving in the area. There have been several reports of anglers landing 100 lb and larger fish last week. 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.
Fishing for king salmon continued to be very good in Taiya Inlet last week where it took an average of 5 rod hours of effort to catch a king salmon 28 inches or greater in length. This compares with the average of 30 hours per king for that week. 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 for the next several weeks. 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.
King salmon bag and possession limits for anglers fishing in Chilkat Inlet increased effective June 3rd through July 31st (see announcement below).
The number of sockeye salmon counted through the Chilkoot River picked up last week. The weir was pulled due to high water on June 19th, and was not fish tight until the afternoon of June 27th. As of July 18th, 13,557 sockeye had been counted through the weir but an unknown number passed through while the weir was open. Water levels have been high and steady for the past week. Anglers are allowed six sockeye per day and in possession in the Chilkoot River drainage.
The catch of sockeye salmon in the Chilkat River fish wheels has been slightly above average so far. As of July 18th, 1,270 sockeye had been caught in the Chilkat River fish wheels. This is compares with the average of 1,139 for this date. Good places to fish for them are in Chilkat Lake and clearwater tributaries of the river in coming weeks. Anglers are allowed six sockeye per day and twelve in possession in the Chilkat River drainage. Average daily fish wheel salmon catches are presented below.
It is shaping up to be another record year for pink salmon returning to the area. An all time record 1,155 had been counted through the Chilkoot River weir by July 18th. The average for this date is 200 pink salmon (see graph below). A total of 914 had been caught in the Chilkat River fish wheels as of July 18th which is also a record for this date (average = 327). Anglers are allowed to keep six per day and in possession in the Chilkoot River. In the Chilkat River you are allowed six pink salmon per day and twelve in possession.
Halibut fishing has been improving in the area. There have been several reports of anglers landing 100 lb and larger fish last week. 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.