Alaska Department of Fish & Game's

This report is reproduced from information provided by Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Haines Office, and will be updated weekly throughout the fishing season. The same message can be accessed on their Record-A-Phone "Sportfishing Forecast" at (907) 766-2625.

This is the Haines and Skagway Sport Fishing Report for August 2, 1999.

Marine Chinook Fishery
King salmon fishing remained steady for the week ending August 8th in Taiya Inlet near Skagway where the daily bag and possession limit in Taiya Inlet and Pullen Creek is two king salmon 28 inches or more in length, and two king salmon less than 28 inches in length. However, most of the kings caught were less than 28 inches in length. Catch rates should continue to drop off as mature fish move into freshwater hatchery release sites.

Three halibut were caught while trolling for kings this week in Taiya Inlet! Be prepared, your next "king" may be a halibut! The Skagway River and Pullen Creek above the Jerry Myers hatchery weir, near Skagway are also open to king salmon fishing. In the Skagway River, the daily bag and possession limit is four king salmon 28 inches or more in length, and four king salmon less than 28 inches in length. The daily bag and possession limit in Pullen Creek is two king salmon 28 inches or more in length, and two king salmon less than 28 inches in length. An annual limit of 4 king salmon 28 inches or more in length is in effect for non-resident anglers. This limit does not apply to king salmon less than 28 inches in length. Non-resident anglers are required to record their catch on the back of their sport fishing license immediately after landing a legal king salmon. All anglers 16 yrs and older fishing for king salmon are required to purchase and have on their possession a king salmon stamp.

In most of the remaining marine waters of Southeast Alaska the king salmon bag limit was decreased to one fish 28 inches or more in length effective July 3rd. Regulations specific to terminal harvest areas to harvest surplus Alaska hatchery king salmon (such as Taiya Inlet) remain unchanged. Nonresident anglers are also reminded that the annual limit for king salmon 28 inches or more in length is four fish.

PINK Salmon
Pink salmon are here! 1,919 were counted through the Chilkoot River weir as of August 5th with close to 500 passing in a single day! Over 7,700 have been caught in the Chilkat River fish wheels so far. Anglers are allowed to keep six per day and in possession in the Chilkoot River. In the Chilkat River you are allowed six salmon per day and twelve in possession.

SOCKEYE Salmon
The return of sockeye salmon to the Chilkoot Lake and River is well below average. A total of 10,254 sockeye salmon had been counted through the Chilkoot River weir by August 5th. This is well below the average of 35,564 sockeye salmon over the past ten years by this date. The Chilkoot Lake and River sport fishery was closed to retention of sockeye salmon on June 17th. In addition, all waters flowing into Chilkoot Lake, and designated spawning areas in the lake were closed to sport fishing on July 16th, to reduce catch and release mortality of spawning sockeye salmon. Spawning sockeye salmon tend to remain near their redds and are vulnerable to being caught and released multiple times. This activity can be very stressful to the fish and lead to incidental mortality. These areas are posted along the shore and buoyed off to delineate the boundaries. Sport fishing is prohibited between the buoys and the nearest shore. These restrictions will remain in effect through September 15, or until escapement goals are projected to be met.

In contrast, the return of sockeye salmon to the Chilkat River drainage is much stonger. As of August 8th, 4,159 sockeyes had been caught in fish wheels operating in the lower Chilkat River. This is the highest catch on record for this date. Anglers are allowed to keep 6 sockeye per day and 12 in possession in the Chilkat River drainage. Good places to fish are clear water tributaries of the Chilkat River including the outlet of Chilkat Lake (Clear Creek).

HALIBUT
Halibut fishing has been holding steady at 7-10 hours to catch one. Most of the halibut are being caught south of Seduction Point. Many of them are being released, presumably due to their small size. Fishing should remain at this level for the next several weeks as halibut move into shallower water to feed this summer.

Dolly Varden have dropped out of local lakes and streams and are actively feeding in salt water. Dolly Varden can be caught along the shorelines of Chilkat Inlet, Lutak Inlet, and Portage Cove.

For more information contact:Randy Ericksen  (randye@fishgame.state.ak.us)

This concludes the Haines fishing forecast.

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