(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - The marine angling effort for saltwater fishing remained low last week, which is typical for this time of year in the Ketchikan area. According to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, there was a few king salmon and halibut harvested last week and harvest should continue to increase as the days move into June. The ADF&G said effort will increase dramatically this weekend with the start of the local Ketchikan king salmon derby.

Anglers freshwater fishing and chasing steelhead will still find good numbers in many streams, however, runs will be winding down soon with many fish actively spawning and returning to saltwater. Roadside anglers should try Ward Creek for steelhead, or if remote fishing is on your agenda, give the Naha River, Mcdonald Lake, or Fish Creek a try.

Cutthroat and Rainbow trout fishing will also continue to improve with lakes now being ice free and water temperatures on the rise.

Dolly Varden fishing along the roadside & shoreline should continue to improve as water temperatures warm and Dolly Varden migrate from overwintering lakes. Lake outlets and streams that connect to the salt water are prime places to harvest these fish in the spring.

All residents and nonresidents age 16 or older must purchase and possess a sport fishing license to participate in Alaska sport and personal use fisheries. In addition, a king salmon stamp is required to fish for king salmon. These laws apply in both fresh and marine waters. Sport fish licenses and king salmon stamps may be purchased online, at most sporting goods stores, and at Fish and Game offices.

All anglers are responsible for knowing the current regulations for the area that they will be fishing. Regulation handbooks and copies of the most current regulatory changes are available on the ADF&G website.

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

On the Web:

Purchase Licenses, Tags, Stamps, Permits
https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/store/

Sport Fishing Regulations
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=fishregulations.sport

Source of News: 

Alaska Department of Fish & Game
www.adfg.state.ak.us

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