Current fishing conditions from Alaska DFG

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[size 1]Fishing reports are provided for the major fisheries throughout the state. These reports are prepared by the biologist most familiar with each area. Reports are provided throughout the busy summer season on more or less a weekly basis. During the winter and less active months the reports are updated only as conditions or regulations change. You should check this site before venturing out to fish to get the most current information [/size]
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JUNEAU AREA FISHING REPORT
[center]September Regulatory changes[/center]
Juneau Terminal Harvest Area now closed
Juneau anglers should be aware that as of August 31, 2004, the Juneau Terminal Harvest Area for hatchery king salmon is closed. Harvest limits within the THA have reverted back to the region wide limits that are published in the Southeast Alaska Sport Fish Regulation Summary booklet. The 2004 region wide saltwater regulations for king salmon in Southeast Alaska are:

For Alaska residents: 2 king salmon daily, 2 in possession, 28” minimum size
For nonresidents: 1 king salmon daily, 1 in possession, 28” minimum size, 3 fish annual limits.
With the closure of the Juneau THA, sport fishing for king salmon in freshwater streams crossed by the Juneau road system is now prohibited.
The Juneau Terminal Harvest Area is typically opened in early June by Emergency Order in order to allow anglers additional opportunity to harvest mature hatchery king salmon returning to the Juneau area. This year, the Juneau Terminal Harvest Area was opened by Emergency Order on Friday the third of June.
Snagging Prohibition at the mouth of Auke Creek ended.
As of August 30th, the snagging prohibition in the salt water area at the mouth of Auke Creek has ended. A prohibition on snagging in the saltwater area at the mouth of Auke Creek was established by an Emergency Order earlier this summer. The effective period for the snagging prohibition was from June 19th until August 30th. The purpose for the snagging prohibition was to protect sockeye salmon returning to the Auke Creek drainage.
Use of Bait in Southeast Alaska and in streams on the Juneau road system
From September 15 to November 15, the use of bait is allowed in most streams in Southeast Alaska.
However, use of bait is prohibited year round in Montana Creek, Windfall Lake, Auke Lake, Salt Lake (near Amalga Harbor) and Mendenhall, Glacier and Moraine Lakes (located within the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area).
Summary of Juneau Hotspots 9/6- 9/12, 2004

King Salmon (207 hours per fish this week, 114 hours last week): Backside of Douglas Island; North Pass

Coho Salmon (4 hours per fish this week, 5 hours last week): North Pass; Lena Point; Backside of Douglas Island; and,Doty's Cove.

Halibut: (14 hours per fish this week, 27 hours last week): Poundstone Rock; South Shelter; Vanderbelt Reef; Icy Strait

Notation Used in this Report
Some anglers may not be aware of many terms used in this report; such as, rod hours, catch, effort, or catch and harvest rates. Below is a brief description of each term:
Rod Hours: For marine boat anglers in Southeastern, Alaska, this refers to the number of hours spent targeting a species of fish (halibut, salmon, rockfish, or bottomfish) per rod used. For example, an angler who harvested 2 coho salmon after 6 hours of salmon fishing with two rods would have spent 6 rod hours per fish.
Catch: Catch is composed of fish harvested and released.
Effort: For marine boat anglers in Southeastern, Alaska, effort refers to the number of rod hours spent pursuing a particular species of fish. For example, the previously described coho angler expended 12 hours of salmon fishing effort.
Catch and Harvest Rates: These rates are commonly referred to as catch per unit of effort (CPUE) or harvest per unit of effort (HPUE) and can be calculated using a variety of statistical methods. In general, they describe how much effort (e.g. rod hours) was expended catching, or harvesting, a particular species of fish (e.g. halibut).
And as a reminder to all anglers, please be aware of the following regulation:
For all boats returning to a port where an ADF&G creel survey is being conducted, it is prohibited to head or fillet king salmon, coho salmon or lingcod until the fish have been brought to shore and offloaded. This prohibition allows our marine creel survey crew to examine intact salmon for evidence of coded wire tags (CWTs) and to measure and collect the heads from these tagged fish. Among other things, this information is used to estimate the composition of hatchery king salmon caught in Alaska fisheries that can be excluded from Alaska’s quota of king salmon as set by the U.S/Canada Pacific Salmon Treaty. Since hatchery king salmon do not count toward our quota, determining the proportion of hatchery kings that can be excluded from the quota has the potential of maximizing our total harvest of king salmon. Gutting and gilling your king or coho is allowed at any time while you are at sea; as is, eating them or having them completely preserved (i.e. canning, freezing, etc.) Aside from those exceptions, your catch of king and coho salmon may not be headed and/or filleted until your vessel has been tied up at the dock.
Regarding coded-wire-tagged salmon, if you are surveyed by a Department creel census technician, you are required to forfeit the head and the date/area you caught the fish.

[u]Coho Salmon: Coho catch rates have been average in most areas.
Regional
· Regional catch rates for coho salmon by marine boat anglers were generally equal or better than the 5 year average. Catch rates for coho salmon ranged from 2 rod hours in Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, Gustavus, and Elfin Cove to 5 rod hours in Craig and Wrangell, and all sampled ports had coho catch rates better than or equal to their five-year averages except at Wrangell and Gustavus.
Local Juneau Area
· Catch rates for coho salmon in the Juneau area were average last week. Last week, marine boat anglers put in 4 hours on average to land a coho. Last year during the same week it took 3 hours per coho. The five-year average is 4 hours. Coho salmon were abundant in our survey with the hotspots being North Pass, and Lena Point.
Roadside anglers can expect fishing to improve throughout September. Some good fishing sites include the following: Cowee Creek, the mouth of Montana Creek, Gastineau Channel by Salmon Creek, Dupont, and Lena Point.
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Ketchikan Fishing Report
The marine sport fishery in the Ketchikan area continued to improve for coho salmon but slowed down as expected for most other species in the local sport fishery. This weeks dockside surveys again encountered a substantial number of anglers during randomingly scheduled sampling periods. Anglers on average spent 355 hours per king salmon, 7 hours per halibut, 136 hours per chum salmon, 2 hours per coho salmon, 177 hours per pink salmon, 65 hours per lingcod and 8 hours per rockfish to harvest these fish during this time period. No other species of fish were reported during the dock side interviews. The upcoming fall rains should improve both salt and freshwater fishing success in the local area. Anglers are reminded to check ADF&G's main web page for any in-season regulation changes under the Emergency Order icon. Anglers interested in shoreline saltwater fishing should consider Thomas Basin ( single hook area only and no snagging), Herring Cove, Settlers Cove and the Mt. Point area where coho and pink salmon have arrived and are available for our local sport fishery. All anglers utilizing the Herring Cove shoreline fishery are reminded not to trespass across local residents property and do not litter. Inquires about sport fish regulations and any in-season changes can also be addressed by calling the Sport Fish office at (907) 225-2859 or by dropping by the office at 2030 Sea Level Drive Suite 215 Ketchikan, Alaska.
The freshwater sport fishery in Ketchikan continues to be dominated by fishing in Ward Creek and Ward Lake. Fishing has improved at these locations with increased fish activity by pink and coho salmon. Anglers are reminded that all freshwater streams in the Ketchikan area are closed to king salmon fishing unless opened by emergency order. Ketchikan Creek opened by emergency order from August 24 through September 14, 2004. The bag limit for Ketchikan Creek is two king salmon under 28 inches and two over 28 inches plus two of the other salmon species in combination. Ketchikan Creek is a single hook water only and no bait is allowed year round. Anglers looking for local trout fishing should consider Carlanna, Harriet Hunt, Silvis and First Waterfall Lakes. Anglers interested in remote trout fishing should consider Eagle, Wilson, McDonald, Reflection, Orchard, Ella and Humpback Lakes just to name a few. All anglers are reminded to check their regulation booklet prior to fishing in any area as regulations differ considerably between locations.

Steve Hoffman

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This is the Haines and Skagway Sport Fishing Report

The number of coho salmon (silvers) caught in fish wheels operating on the Chilkat River is below average for this time of year. As of September 19th, 1,011 had been caught in the Chilkat River fish wheels, which compares with the average of 1,381 for this date (see graph for average daily fish wheel catches). Anglers are allowed to keep three per day and six in possession in the Chilkat River.
A total of 89 coho salmon were counted through the Chilkoot River weir when it was pulled on September 13th, which is above the average of 62 for this date and still very early in the run. The coho salmon migration typically peaks in the Chilkoot River around the first week of October (see graph for average daily weir counts). Anglers are allowed to keep two coho salmon per day and in possession in the Chilkoot River drainage. Anglers are warned to be bear conscious due to recent bear incidents (see BEAR ALERT below).
The Chilkoot River weir was pulled on September 13th. A total of 75,596 sockeye, 107,994 pink, and 89 coho salmon had been counted through the Chilkoot River weir for the season. This is well above the 10-year average for sockeye and pink salmon.

Halibut are still being caught in Lutak Inlet, the Katzehin flats, and other areas south of town although catch rates have been dropping as the weather turns cooler and fish move into deeper water.
Dolly Varden are starting to move into freshwater to spawn and over-winter. 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.
Important Announcements and Reminders:
BEAR WARNING……Anglers should be aware that there have been a number of brown bear and human interactions along the Chilkoot River in recent days. For example, a sow has been frequenting the fishing area below the weir and recently obtained fish from an angler who refused to stop fishing when the bear approached. This situation is very dangerous for both anglers and the bear. The bear learns to associate anglers with food making a dangerous situation for all anglers and will likely result in the bear having to be killed. You can help to reduce these incidents by following these guidelines: [ul] [li]Clean your fish in the river, and place fish remains in swiftly moving water. [li]Cease all fishing activity when a bear approaches to within 100 yards or at a point where the bear could obtain your fish if you hooked one, whichever is greater. Immediately release your hooked fish (by cutting or breaking the fishing line) when a bear approaches to within 100 yards or at the point when it is attracted by your struggling fish, whichever is greater. If anglers are in a boat, you may move to deeper water to maintain separation between the angler and the bear. Make every effort (including releasing hooked fish) to prevent a bear from obtaining your fish. [li]Store your food, fish and garbage in your vehicle (or bear-resistant container) at all times. Never leave your food, fish or garbage unattended. We encourage you to clean your fish, to bag it immediately, and to store it in a cooler in your vehicle. [li]Do not cast at bears. [li]Do not eat along the river. [li]Avoid fishing early in the morning or late at night. This is when bears are most active. [li]Avoid fishing in areas which bears are known to frequent such as the east shore (opposite side from the road). [li]Camp only in the campground at the lake or at one of the commercial campgrounds. [li]Use the outhouses provided in the campground. [li]Leave pets in your vehicle, or have them under leash control at all times. If you must feed your pet, do so at your campsite and clean up any dropped food. [li]Do not use firearms to scare or warn bears. This could result in a wounded bear. [li]If a bear approaches, stand your ground and speak in a normal voice. Never run away from a bear. Don’t whistle, call to, or otherwise try to get a bear’s attention. [/li][/ul]
Yukon Residents to Pay Less for Sport Fishing Fees Beginning in 2005: Governor Frank H. Murkowski signed a bill adopting reciprocal sport fishing fees for residents of the Yukon. Specifically, the bill would enable a Yukon resident to receive a nonresident sport fishing license or a king salmon tag for the same annual fee that an Alaska resident would pay.
"I am pleased to support this legislation, because it fosters good relations with our neighbors in Yukon," Murkowski said. "It will give Yukoners who come to Southeast to fish for salmon a little bit of a break, yet will still require them to comply with nonresident restrictions, such as bag limits."
Yukon residents will continue to pay nonresident fees through the remainder of this year. The reduced fees become effective January 1, 2005.
King Salmon Bag Limits: Current king salmon bag and possession limits for sport anglers fishing in the marine waters of Southeast Alaska are as follows:
Ø Alaska residents: bag and possession limit of two king salmon 28 inches or greater in length; no annual limit.
Ø Nonresidents: bag and possession limit of one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length; annual limit of three fish.
These regulations are based on the preseason abundance index determined by the Pacific Salmon Commission’s Chinook Technical Committee, as directed by the Southeast Alaska king salmon management plan.
For more information about the sport fisheries in Southeast Alaska, contact the nearest Southeast Alaska ADF&G office or visit: [url "http://www.state.ak.us/adfg/sportf/region1/r1home.htm"]http://www.state.ak.us/adfg/sportf/region1/r1home.htm[/url]
2004 Sport Fishing Licenses and King salmon tags: Remember to buy your 2004 sport fishing license and king salmon tag (if going after kings) before heading for the water.
2004 Sport Fishing Regulations Booklets: The 2004 Southeast Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary will be available by late April at Fish and Game Offices and many sporting goods stores throughout the Northern Southeast area. If you are rusty on the regulations, please pick up a regulation booklet and refresh your knowledge prior to going fishing.
The Use of Bait: The use of bait is permitted year-round in the Skagway Area and in the Chilkat and Chilkoot River drainages except as noted below. The use of bait is prohibited year-round in Chilkat and Mosquito Lakes. The inlet and outlet streams to Chilkat and Mosquito Lakes are closed to bait fishing now through September 15. This prohibition on the use of bait stems from concern over hook-and-release mortality on cutthroat trout that must be released if below the legal size for harvest.
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) and Clams: Many people in Southeast Alaska like to take clams for personal consumption. Clam digging is popular but comes with some risk, primarily due to contamination of clam tissue with potentially lethal toxins accumulated during the so-called "red tides." This is a condition where small, single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates (a type of algae), increase in abundance in the marine waters during warmer times of the year, and which can turn the local waters reddish in color. The dinoflagellates produce a group of toxins that are collectively referred to as paralytic shellfish poison, or PSP.
These toxins are a natural byproduct of the algae's metabolism, and are accumulated in clams when they feed on the algae. People can get sick and even die if they eat clams contaminated with PSP. The risk goes up exponentially during the summer months when water temperatures increase and there are "blooms" of the dinoflagellate algae. Certain species of clams purge themselves relatively quickly of the toxins, others retain the toxins for considerable time, and can be hazardous to eat at any time of the year. Little neck or steamer clams are a safer target species because they tend not to concentrate the toxins as much, compared to butter clams, mussels, and even scallops. Mussels and butter clams can be very dangerous. Moreover, butter clams will retain the toxins for very long times. People should learn as much as they can about clam identification, PSP, and procedures to minimize risks of contracting paralytic shellfish poisoning, should they choose to take clams for consumption.
Fishing Guide Registration and Charter boat Logbooks: Once again, sport fishing guides and owners of guiding services businesses must register with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. All businesses and guides registered in 2003 should have received renewal forms from the Department, which should be completed and returned. Individuals new to these activities can obtain registration forms from the Sport Fish Office in Haines (766-2625 or 766-3638). Additionally, the 2004 saltwater charter vessel logbooks are now available for businesses operating such vessels. Haines folks should come to the Haines Office and obtain their books. Please have your 2004 guide business registration number and your CFEC vessel license number with you. Business/vessel owners in outlying areas can call the Haines or Douglas office (465-4270) and work with a department representative for obtaining logbooks.

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Sitka Area

No new reports since August[]

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PRINCE OF WALES ISLAND AREA

On September 12 the sport fish creel program ended for another year in Craig and Klawock, so this is the last weekly fishing report for the season. No chinook were reported harvested out of Craig and Klawock last week. Chinook fishing traditionally is slow at this time of year. Coho salmon fishing slowed last week, as it took an average of 5 hours of effort to land a coho, right at the five year average. Halibut came in at 4 hours per fish, much better than the 5-year average of 23 hours/fish for this same time period.
Fresh water fishing on POW is mostly targeting coho salmon at this time. Look for coho scattered throughout most streams. Coho fishing should remain good through the month on most streams. Streams are currently at moderate flows (September 13). The best bet for coho is the Klawock River and anglers can also fish for these fish in salt water by fishing from the shoreline between Craig and Klawock. Hundreds of coho have been showing up at the Klawock Hatchery daily and thousands more will be showing up in the coming weeks. Anglers looking for trout fishing on Prince of Wales Island should consider Control, Klawock, Eagle, Red Bay, and No Name Lake as well as the Thorne River drainage just to name a few. Please check the regulation booklet for limits and other regulations that apply to these areas.

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Gustavus Area was displayed only as a chart. Click here to access it.

[url "http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Region1/weekly/gus.cfm"]http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Region1/weekly/gus.cfm[/url]

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Petersburg/Wrangell Sport Fish Report

No new reports since 8/16 [cool]

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Lower Cook Inlet Area
Fishing Report for September 14, 2004
[url "javascript:popup('homregs.cfm');"]Emergency Orders and Regulation Changes[/url] Salt Waters Halibut [ul] [li]Halibut anglers are catching fish from a wide variety of locations. At this time of year it can take longer to locate halibut because they move to deeper waters. Good fishing was reported off Point Pogibshi in 100-200 feet of water. Areas farther out and south of Point Adam should remain good when weather permits. The bag limit for halibut is 2 per day (4 in possession). [/li][/ul] Other salt water fishing [ul] [li]Snagging is prohibited in Cook Inlet salt water north of a line extending west from Anchor Point. [li]Feeder king salmon are on the move and catching is sporadic. Try Bluff Point and locations around Kachemak Bay. Troll in the vicinity of groups of feeding seabirds. [li]Silver salmon are still migrating into Kachemak Bay. Troll for silvers off points and in passages. [li]Lingcod season remains open until December 31. The minimum size limit is 35 inches, and the bag limit is 2 per day and 2 in possession. [li]Rockfish fishing is also open all year. Most rockfish are taken while targeting halibut or salmon. Rockfish caught in less than 60 feet of water generally survive release. The bag limits are 5 rockfish per day, no more than 1 of which may be a non-pelagic species. [/li][/ul] Shellfish [ul] [li]The next series of clamming tides runs September 26-29. Again, a PSP warning has been issued by the Department of Environmental Conservation for Kachemak Bay. Clammers should read the "News Release" information above and visit the website listed in the "Helpful Links" section of this report. [li]Dungeness, King and Tanner crab, and shrimp fisheries are closed in Cook Inlet and the Outer Gulf Coast. [/li][/ul] Fresh Waters [ul] [li]Bait may not be used in the Anchor River, Deep Creek, Ninilchik River or Stariski Creek through Dec. 31. [li]Salmon fishing is open only downstream of the forks in the Anchor River. Deep Creek and the Ninichik River are open to salmon fishing only in the lower two miles downstream of department markers. [li]The silver salmon return is dwindling, and with low, clear water, catching is slow. [li]Dolly Varden continue to be caught in these three streams in fair numbers. Daily limits for Dollies are 2 per day and 2 in possession - try beads, flesh flies, egg patterns or small spinners. [li]A few steelhead are entering the rivers. Please familiarize yourself with the differences between a silver salmon and a steelhead. Rainbow/steelhead have black spots all over both lobes of the tail, while silvers have black spots only on the upper lobe of the tail. [li]Rainbow/steelhead trout may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately in these streams. [li]Snagging is prohibited in ALL fresh waters. [/li][/ul]

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Kenai Area Fishing Report for September 14, 2004
[url "javascript:popup('kenregs.cfm');"]Emergency Orders and Regulation Changes[/url]
[url "http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/region2/areas/kenai/KenaiKingSum/2004/04Lrsumm.pdf"]Late Run King Salmon Summary[/url] [url "http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/region2/areas/kenai/KenaiKingSum/2004/04ersumm.pdf"]Final Early Run King Salmon Summary[/url] Kenai River salmon [ul] [li]Fishing for silver salmon on the lower Kenai River is reported to be good. [li]Pink salmon fishing are still available throughout the lower Kenai River, but most are well into or past their spawning phase. [li]Silver and pink salmon will readily strike bright spoons, spinners, plugs, and Spin-n-Glos. [li]Multiple hooks and bait may be used from the mouth of the Kenai River upstream to the Upper Killey River. [/li][/ul] Upper Kenai River and the Russian River [ul] [li]Anglers have been catching silver salmon in the Upper Kenai and Russian River areas using fly and spinning gear. This area remains single-hook, no bait.[/li][/ul] Kenai River Resident Fish [ul] [li]Fishing for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden has been good on the upper and lower Kenai River. [/li][/ul] Kasilof River Salmon [ul] [li]Silver salmon fishing in the Kasilof River has been fair. [li]Steelhead trout could be showing up in the Kasilof at anytime. [li]Bank anglers can access good fishing areas from the Crooked Creek campground off Cohoe Loop Road. [li]In the Kasilof River, downstream of the Sterling Highway bridge, only artificial lures with one single pointed hook may be used from September 1 though May 15. [li]Metallic or brightly colored spinners in sizes 3 or 4 and 1/2 ounce Pixees, rigged with one single pointed hook, are popular tackle choices for silvers.[/li][/ul] Swanson River Salmon [ul] [li]Although anglers continue to report catching silvers on the Swanson River in Nikiski, this run is likely past its peak. [li]Try using small spinners or drifting eggs for best success. [li]Dolly Varden and rainbow trout are also available in the Swanson River. [li]Bait and multiple hooks are allowed through September 15. [/li][/ul] Lake Fishing [ul] [li]Although area lakes were last stocked in June, they don't see much fishing effort during salmon season. Now would be a great time to "take a break and fish a lake." Early mornings and late evenings are the best times. [li]Try Johnson Lake near Kasilof for rainbow trout, or Sport Lake near Soldotna for rainbow trout and landlocked salmon. [li]Floating eggs off a bobber or casting small spoons or spinners are popular methods while fishing in the lakes. [/li][/ul] Northern Pike [ul] [li]Pike fishing should soon improve. Try early in the morning or late in the evening. [li]Stormy Lake and Arc Lake are two publicly accessible pike lakes. [li]Casting lures or flies that imitate small fish or other prey works well for northern pike. Bait fishing can also be productive. [/li][/ul]

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Anchorage Area Fishing Report for September 14, 2004
[url "javascript:popup('ancregs.cfm');"]Emergency Orders and Regulation Changes[/url] Fall Fishing Report Salmon
Ship Creek Silvers [ul] [li]This fishery is slowing down with very few new silvers entering the stream. [li]Be respectful of Alaska Railroad property and follow their guidelines for access. [li]Pack out your trash, and use the provided trash barrels. Keep your creeks clean. [li]Continue to try spinners, spoons, cured eggs, and yarn flies. [/li][/ul]
Campbell Creek Silvers [ul] [li]Fishing is slowing here too, but a few bright silvers will continue to move in with the fall weather. [li]Silver salmon fishing is open from Dimond Blvd. up to the regulatory marker at the North Fork-South Fork confluence near Piper Street. [li]Campbell Creek is closed to all fishing downstream of Dimond Blvd., and between Lake Otis Parkway and Shelikof Street. [li]Bait and multiple hooks are allowed. [/li][/ul] [ul][/ul]
Bird Creek Silvers [ul] [li]Since Bird Creek was not stocked with silvers last year, there will be little to no silvers returning this year. [/li][/ul]
Turnagain Arm Streams [ul] [li]Silver fishing will be fair to good through the end of September, possibly into the first week of October. [li]Duck hunters should take their fishing rods along, to pass the time when birds are not in the air. [li]There are several streams and sloughs that are closed to all fishing, and some that are closed to fishing for salmon. Please check pages 36-39 of the regulation booklet before heading out to fish. [/li][/ul] Resident Fish [ul] [li]Rainbow trout and Dolly fishing should be good in Campbell Creek. [li]With all the salmon in the water, try beads, glo-bugs, or bunny-bugs. [li]Some sections of Campbell Creek are catch-and-release only for rainbows, and some sections are closed to all fishing. Remember to check the regulations before you head out. [li]Chester Creek is open to rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing, which should be fair until freeze-up. Fly anglers can try beads or egg imitations, while spin anglers can use small Mepps® or other spinners, and bait. Limits for rainbows are 5 per person per day, only 1 20" or longer. Dollies are 5 per day, no size limits. [/li][/ul] Lake Fishing [ul] [li]Delong Lake, Jewel Lake, Mirror Lake, and Sand Lake are the most recently stocked Anchorage-area lakes. Best success is early morning or in the evenings, using bait under a bobber, or a small dark-patterned fly, or a size 0 spinner. [li]Maps to the lakes are available on the "Lake stocking" website below. [li]Fall is float tube time. As lake temperatures drop, feeding activity will increase. [li]Nymphs, small spinners and bait will all be great options for fall fishing. [li]Rainbow fishing should be good throughout the fall right up to ice formation. [/li][/ul] Northern Pike [ul] [li]Pike anglers should try Cheney, Lower Fire, Otter, and Sand lakes. [li]Pike can be taken using spears, bow and arrow (the arrow must be attached to the bow by a line) bait, and by spin fishing and fly-fishing. [li]There is no closed season or bag limit for pike in this area. However, wanton waste laws do apply, so be sure to use, or donate to charity, all the pike you harvest. [/li][/ul]

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Mat-Su Area

No new Reports since August

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Prince William Sound Area
Fishing Report for September 14, 2004
[url "javascript:popup('pwsregs.cfm');"]Emergency Orders and Regulation Changes[/url] Salt Waters
Halibut [ul] [li]Halibut anglers still find some good fish in deeper waters but catches have slowed out of all ports. [li]Salmon heads and fins can be effective bait this time of year. [/li][/ul]
Salmon [ul] [li]Most of the salt water silver salmon have moved into their spawning streams by now. [li]The Lake Bay area has been producing fair silver salmon action for trollers. [li]Occasional silver salmon have been caught near Whittier, and the Cordova terminal release site at Flemming Spit has been good for silvers. [/li][/ul]
Other salt water fishing [ul] [li]Lingcod action is still good at Seal Rocks and also in Zaikoff Bay. [/li][/ul]
Shellfish
[ul] [li]Shrimp season closes on September 15, so don't forget to send in your shrimp permit. [/li][/ul] Fresh Waters
Salmon [ul] [li]Silver salmon anglers continue to do well on the Eyak River but low water is hindering boat traffic to the lower river where most of the fresh fish are. [li]Alaganic Slough is providing excellent silver salmon and Dolly Varden action for shore anglers. [li]Ibeck Creek has been poor all year due to excessive glacial water that muddied the stream. [li]The fly-fishing-only section of the Robe River has seen a fair run of silver salmon. [/li][/ul]
Resident Fish [ul] [li]Trout fishing has picked up with the cooler temperatures. [li]Cutthroats can be found at the Eyak Lake outlet, McKinley Lake and in small streams out on the Copper River Delta. [/li][/ul]

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Resurrection Bay Area

Fishing Report for September 14, 2004
[url "javascript:popup('resregs.cfm');"]Emergency Orders and Regulation Changes[/url] Fall Fishing Report Salt Waters
Halibut / Rockfish / Lingcod [ul] [li]Halibut should be fair to good through September, but will eventually slow as these large flatfish move into deep winter spawning areas. [li]Anglers should read and understand the rockfish regulations before fishing. When weather permits anglers to get out of the Bay and into North Gulf Coast waters, fishing has been good. Rockfish are still available during September to those anglers willing to try. [li]Lingcod fishing is open through Dec. 31 in the North Gulf Coast waters. Lingcod may only be landed by hand or with a landing net, and must be 35 inches in total length. Lingcod fishing inside Resurrection Bay is ALWAYS closed. If you harvest a lingcod outside Resurrection Bay you cannot fish on the way back to Seward. [/li][/ul]
Salmon [ul] [li]Expect fair king salmon action during September. Fall trolling for king salmon is usually hampered by bad weather, it takes patience, but can be rewarding. [li]Silver salmon are inside Resurrection Bay. Boat anglers trolling off the city beaches should continue to have fair fishing. Beach anglers are now catching some nice fish, but expect this to slow in a week or so. Silvers can be caught off the beaches through September. [li]Trolling with cut herring on a squid lure with a flasher is always a good combination. If you prefer to use hardware, try a silver flasher and green terminal tackle. Snagging is the preferred method for most beach anglers. [li]Most sea-run Dollies are now in their fresh water streams and lakes to spawn and over-winter. [/li][/ul] Fresh Waters
Salmon -Resurrection Bay [ul] [li]There is no fresh water salmon fishing open in Resurrection Bay drainages [/li][/ul]
Trout [ul] [li]The fall fly-fishing season is upon us. Pack your belly boat in to Vagt or Carter lakes for good trout action. [/li][/ul] Northern Pike/Atlantic Salmon [ul] [li]Please report the catch of any northern pike or Atlantic salmon as soon possible to ADF&G at (907) 267-2218.[/li][/ul]

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Kodiak Area
Fishing Report for September 14, 2004
[url "javascript:popup('kodregs.cfm');"]Emergency Orders and Regulation Changes[/url] Salt Waters [ul] [li]Saltwater fishing for halibut, lingcod and rockfish was reported as good to excellent last week. [li]Trolling for silver salmon has continued to be excellent. [li]King salmon are also being taken and success was reported as good to poor last week. [/li][/ul] Fresh Waters
Silver Salmon [ul] [li]Silver salmon on the Kodiak Road System are getting off to an early start and several returns appear to be very strong. [li]As of September 6, the silver count on the Buskin River was 6,800, which is the highest count on record and over double the average count for this time of year. Because of the large count, the entire Buskin River drainage was opened to sport fishing for salmon on Saturday, September 4. [li]Remaining Road System streams which drain into Monashka and Chiniak bays will remain closed to salmon fishing upstream of the Chiniak Highway until the normal opening date of September 16. [li]Silver abundance in the Olds has been reported to be increasing. [li]Silver abundance in the Pasagshak has been reported as high. In 2003, the Pasagshak received a record return and over 8,000 silvers were counted on one foot-survey. Both the Buskin and Pasagshak are noted for the large size of their silvers. Since the Pasagshak does not drain into Monashka or Chiniak, the entire Pasagshak is open to salmon fishing all year.[/li][/ul]
Dolly Varden [ul] [li]Large numbers of Dolly Varden continue to enter freshwater drainages along the Road System to feed and spawn. Some of the more popular places to fish for Dolly Varden include the Buskin, American, and Olds rivers and Salonie Creek.[/li][/ul]

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Upper Copper Upper Susitna Area
Fishing Report for September 14, 2004

Lake trout fishing will be fair to good during September. Early in the month, fish depths greater than 30 feet for the best success. As lake surfaces cool, lake trout will move into shallower water. At this time anglers take lake trout with flashers, lures, whitefish or herring, and streamers. When fishing Paxson Lake and Summit Lake remember that there is a single hook, no bait regulation in effect. Lake Louise and Susitna Lake in the Tyone River drainage, Crosswind Lake and Swede Lakes in the Gulkana River drainage also contain lake trout. Fly-in fisheries which receive little angling pressure include Tanada and Copper Lakes. Lake trout are vulnerable to overharvest due to their slow growth and late maturity. Please practice catch and release techniques when handling lake trout. The Department has been collecting lake trout age, sex and length data from Paxson Lake in an effort to gain additional information on the stock status of the lake trout. .If you keep any fish that are tagged please report the tag number, sex and location where you caught the fish to the nearest Department office. If you release tagged fish please do not remove the tag. Thank you for participating in the department program.
Fishing in the stocked lakes will be good throughout September. For rainbows, try Silver and Sculpin lakes off the McCarthy Road, Ryan, Gergie, DJ or Tex Smith lakes off the Glenn Highway, Crater, Old Road, and Round lakes along the Lake Louise Road.
Wild stock grayling fishing will be good through September in the larger streams, rivers and lakes. Good grayling fisheries include the Little Nelchina River along the Glenn Highway, and the Gulkana River along the Richardson Highway.
Sockeye salmon will be available for harvest through September in the Gulkana River. Check the regulations for seasons and bag limits in various sections of the river.
Coho salmon should be arriving in the Little Tonsina and Tonsina Rivers. These runs are very small and short in duration. The bag and possession limit for coho salmon is three per day and three in possession.
Fishing for rainbow / steelhead trout can also be good in September. The Gulkana River is the primary fishery for the species. Please remember that the entire Gulkana River drainage is limited to catch and release for rainbow / steelhead trout.

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Kuskokwim Area

No new reports

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End of Reports[cool]