08-05-2004, 04:40 AM
This is the Haines and Skagway Sport Fishing Report for the week of July 26-August 1, 2004.
The number of sockeye salmon counted through the Chilkoot River remained high last week. Anglers are warned to be bear conscious due to recent bear incidents (see BEAR ALERT below). The weir was pulled due to high water on June 19th, and was not fish tight until the afternoon of June 27th. As of August 1st, 36,652 sockeye had been counted through the weir but an unknown number passed through while the weir was open. This compares with the five year average of 25,916 sockeye salmon counted through the weir. Anglers are allowed six sockeye per day and in possession in the Chilkoot River drainage. Average daily weir counts of salmon are presented below
Fishing for king salmon was very good in Taiya Inlet last week where it took an average of 7 rod hours of effort to catch a king salmon 28 inches or greater in length. This compares with the average of 24 hours per king for that week. Anglers are reminded that the Taiya Inlet terminal hatchery regulations expired August 1st. Regional regulations apply to Taiya Inlet. Alaska resident anglers have a bag and possession limit of two king salmon 28 inches or greater in length; no annual limit. Nonresident anglers have a bag and possession limit of one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length; with an annual limit of three fish
The department reminds anglers that fresh waters of Southeast Alaska are closed to king salmon fishing. However, Pullen Creek in Skagway will likely be opened to taking king salmon later this week once hatchery brood stock needs have been met. In 2002, this did not happen because vandalism to the weir and holding pens resulted in the release of adult king salmon before enough eggs were collected. Continued vandalism will jeopardize the success of this king salmon enhancement program and the local king salmon fishery.
The catch of sockeye salmon in the Chilkat River fish wheels has been slightly above average so far. As of August 1st, 1,939 sockeye had been caught in the Chilkat River fish wheels. This is compares with the average of 1,879 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 13,404 had been counted through the Chilkoot River weir by August 1st. The average for this date is 3,486 pink salmon (see graph below). A total of 2,289 had been caught in the Chilkat River fish wheels as of August 1st which is well above the average of 1,264 for this date. 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 in past weeks. 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.
[signature]
The number of sockeye salmon counted through the Chilkoot River remained high last week. Anglers are warned to be bear conscious due to recent bear incidents (see BEAR ALERT below). The weir was pulled due to high water on June 19th, and was not fish tight until the afternoon of June 27th. As of August 1st, 36,652 sockeye had been counted through the weir but an unknown number passed through while the weir was open. This compares with the five year average of 25,916 sockeye salmon counted through the weir. Anglers are allowed six sockeye per day and in possession in the Chilkoot River drainage. Average daily weir counts of salmon are presented below
Fishing for king salmon was very good in Taiya Inlet last week where it took an average of 7 rod hours of effort to catch a king salmon 28 inches or greater in length. This compares with the average of 24 hours per king for that week. Anglers are reminded that the Taiya Inlet terminal hatchery regulations expired August 1st. Regional regulations apply to Taiya Inlet. Alaska resident anglers have a bag and possession limit of two king salmon 28 inches or greater in length; no annual limit. Nonresident anglers have a bag and possession limit of one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length; with an annual limit of three fish
The department reminds anglers that fresh waters of Southeast Alaska are closed to king salmon fishing. However, Pullen Creek in Skagway will likely be opened to taking king salmon later this week once hatchery brood stock needs have been met. In 2002, this did not happen because vandalism to the weir and holding pens resulted in the release of adult king salmon before enough eggs were collected. Continued vandalism will jeopardize the success of this king salmon enhancement program and the local king salmon fishery.
The catch of sockeye salmon in the Chilkat River fish wheels has been slightly above average so far. As of August 1st, 1,939 sockeye had been caught in the Chilkat River fish wheels. This is compares with the average of 1,879 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 13,404 had been counted through the Chilkoot River weir by August 1st. The average for this date is 3,486 pink salmon (see graph below). A total of 2,289 had been caught in the Chilkat River fish wheels as of August 1st which is well above the average of 1,264 for this date. 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 in past weeks. 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.
[signature]