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ADF&G > Sport Fish > Southeast | |||
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Region 1: Southeast Alaska and YakutatSoutheast Alaska covers an area about 500 miles in length from the U.S./Canada border just below Prince of Wales Island north to Yakutat and to Cape Suckling. Southeast or the "panhandle" as it is known in Alaska, is noted for its fjords, mountains, maritime climate, old growth forests, glaciers, and fishing! Southeast includes over 1,000 islands strung just offshore from the mainland. The Tongass National Forest and the icy Glacier Bay National Park are just two of the federally designated areas that are found in this area of islands and rugged mountains. Angling Opportunities: Marine and freshwater sport fishing opportunities abound. Southeast Alaska is a place where the sport angler can stay busy year around fishing for wild trout, all five species of Pacific salmon, halibut, and a variety of other species. Roadside salmon fishing opportunities exist near most towns and cities.
Southeast Alaska's trout, steelhead, king and coho salmon, and halibut angling are world-renowned. In Southeast, we estimate that there are 330 streams that support pristine runs of wild steelhead. One of our better known rivers, the Situk, is in Yakutat at the northern end of the region. Situk River has the state's largest run of steelhead (averaging over 7,000 steelhead/year for the past four years) and it also supports runs of all five species of Pacific Salmon, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and Dolly Varden char. You can now purchase your Alaska sport fishing license through the web at our new ADF&G online license purchasing link. This page also has information on all the license options and costs. There are five different regulation books for Alaska. All are available on the web at: click here. If you know where you are going, you can request a hard copy of the local regulations from the headquarters office by ordering from the regulations page. You can also receive a hard copy of the regulations by contacting the regional offices listed on this forum or by writing:Division of Sport Fish P.O. Box 25526 Juneau, AK 99802
Services: Full services and established charter boat and guide services are available in population centers. Air charter services provide excellent access to remote areas. There are U.S. Forest Service cabins throughout the region. Information on cabin rentals is available from US Forest Service Information Centers. Access to Southeast Communities: Only two communities in Southeast are accessible by road, Haines and Skagway off the Alaska Highway. The other communities are reached only by aircraft or boat including the Alaska Marine Highway system. Alaska Airlines serves Yakutat, Juneau, Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell, and Ketchikan from Seattle. Air taxi or charter companies provide transportation between those communities and the smaller communities. Weather/What to wear: An average of over 90 inches of rain falls on Southeast-Yakutat annually. Summer temperatures average 65°F. Waterproof jackets and pants are recommended. Wear several layers of light clothing for warmth. Bug dope should be considered a necessity for any fishing trip to Southeast Alaska. You might want to check the current weather conditions and forecast before you come at the National Weather Service. Other Frequently Asked Questions: What is the best time to fish for steelhead in Southeast Alaska? Most of the steelhead in Southeast Alaska are spring run stocks that enter streams from early April through mid-May. The peak numbers of steelhead in most streams in Southeast Alaska is usually about the second week of May.
Where can I stay if I come up to fish steelhead or other species? One of the most popular and cost effective options is to reserve a US Forest Service cabin on one of the remote systems. Forest Service cabins rent for $25/night. Contact the US Forest Service in the area of interest for reservation information on cabin availability. The Forest Service also has information on fish and wildlife opportunities available at each of their cabins. What about Bears? Brown bears are common throughout Southeast Alaska, and black bears are encountered with less frequency. Sighting one of these animals can add to a trip, however, they should be treated with respect and avoided whenever possible. The possibility of bear attack is generally overrated, however, bears are unpredictable and should never be approached or underestimated. Bears frequent area rivers in the summer and fall where they occasionally try to steal fish from anglers. When in bear country 1) make noise so as not to surprise them, 2) give bears the right of way!, 3) keep food stored away from your clean camp, and 4) do not camp on a game trail or along side a creek containing spawning fish. 
Common sense is the best bear protection available.
Aerosol bear repellent sprays are now available at
selected outdoor stores, and some fishermen carry firearms
for additional protection. Large caliber rifles (at
least 30-06 or shotguns with slugs) are recommended. Do not rely on under-powered firearms for protection. Familiarity with firearms is imperative if you choose to carry a weapon, as bears can travel 50 feet per second.
Read Bear Facts. Are the insects in Alaska as bad as they say? Yes. Mosquitoes, white-sox, no see'ums
and other biting flies can be abundant from mid-May through Can you give me a list of the various lodges, charter boat operators, and freshwater guides, what they cost and which ones are the best? The Department of Fish and Game cannot make recommendations on lodges, guides, or charter outfits. The Chamber of Commerce in the community you are interested in should have lists of what is available for their area. Look under the community name in our Region 1 home page for links to each community. |
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