Current Sport Fishing Report
November 03, 2009
Weekly fishing reports will resume in May 2010 when king salmon catch rate data is available from the Haines marine creel survey.
Chilkat River salmon 2009 summary
October weekend creel surveys showed that it took Chilkat River anglers an average of 4 rod*hrs to catch a coho salmon. Anglers were still catching coho in early November. October weekly stream counts expanded to an escapement estimate of 48,000 coho salmon, which is below average, but in the middle of the escapement goal range (30,000 to 70,000 fish).
The sockeye salmon escapement through Chilkat Lake weir was 154,000 fish, slightly above the escapement goal range for the lake. Chilkat River fish wheels caught a record 9,044 sockeye salmon through October 6, more than double the long-term average for that date.
The Chilkat River pink salmon run was very strong. The fish wheel catch and of 7,531 pink salmon through September 20 was a record high, and more than twice the long-term average.
The preliminary mark-recapture estimate of Chilkat River king salmon abundance is 4,800 large kings, an above-average run which exceeded the inriver abundance goal range (1,650 to 3,600 fish).
Chilkoot River salmon 2009 summary
October weekend creel surveys showed that it took Chilkoot River anglers an average of 12 rod*hrs to catch a coho salmon. ADF&G does not make an annual escapement estimate for Chilkoot River coho salmon.
The sockeye salmon escapement through Chilkoot River weir was 34,000 fish, below the lower end of the escapement goal range (38,000 to 86,000 fish). The sockeye weir count was about half of the long-term average for this project.
The Chilkoot River pink salmon run was very strong. The final pink salmon weir count was 34,000 fish, close to average for this project. Pink salmon fishing opportunity was good through September.
Other fish
Sea run Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout are migrating up the Chilkoot River and Chilkat River to spend the winter in deep lakes. They can be found in the big rivers, tributary mouths, and in Chilkat Lake, Mosquito Lake, and Chilkoot Lake.
Salt water king salmon fishing has settled down to low fall and winter catch rates. Southeast Alaska regional king salmon bag, possession, and annual limits apply to salt water king salmon anglers in the Haines and Skagway area. The regional regulations are:
- Resident anglers may keep two king salmon 28 inches or more in length per day and in possession with no annual limit;
- Non-Alaska resident anglers may keep one king salmon 28 inches or more in length per day and in possession, with an annual limit of three king salmon.
- Now through March 31, 2010, Alaska resident anglers are alowed to use two rods to fish for king salmon.
The king salmon broodstock collection in Pullen Creek was succesfully completed this year. Broodstock taken from that site will be used to supply king salmon smolt to two release sites: Pullen Pond in Skagway and Lutak Inlet, near Haines.
For more information about fishing opportunities and fish research in the Haines and Skagway area, please visit our area web page
