Fishing in northern
Southeast Alaska
Nearly all species of salmon, flasher or dodger. The same gear
trout, and saltwater fishes common will take all three species of salmon;
to the northwestern United States however, anglers targeting on king
and Canada are also found in north- salmon will often troll slower and
ern Southeast Alaska. Tackle used deeper than when fishing for coho
to catch a particular species of fish or pink salmon.
elsewhere will catch fish in northern
Mooching is usually done from
Southeast. The following fishing
an anchored boat or when drifting
tips are general in nature. For more
or engaged in a very slow troll,
information on a local area, contact
primarily using the currents to work
the local Sport Fish Division office
the bait. Mooching can be quite
or a local tackle shop.
effective because it is easier to fish a
King, coho, and pink wider range of depths. Herring is
salmon are normally taken the preferred bait for mooching.
in salt water by trolling or Buzzbombs and other jig-type lures
mooching. will also take salmon in marine
areas.
Trolling involves ac-
tively pulling a herring, Few marine boat anglers target
hoochie, plug, or fly through chum salmon, as they do not take
the water fast enough to standard baits as readily as other
provide suitable action of the species of salmon, but chum salmon
bait or lure. Medium- to are caught, often being misidentified
Salmon
heavy-action trolling rods as a coho salmon. Special gear can
and reels, and spin rods in be used to entice a chum to bite; one
the 7- to 9-ft range capable of combination rumored to work is a
handling up to 8 ounces of blue flasher about 16 inches in front
lead are used in this fish- of a bare blue hook.
ery. A line of 15- to 40- Coho and pink salmon can be
pound test is usually used. taken along marine shorelines and
Bait or lures are frequently in streams by spin casters with a
used in combination with a variety of spinning lures. Cohos and
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pinks can also be taken in salt and Bottom fishing tackle consists
fresh water on a variety of flies. of a powerful rod and a strong
reel capable of holding at least
Terminal freshwater and saltwater
200 yards of 60-pound test or
king salmon fisheries occur in several
heavier line. Leader material
communities at enhancement sites. In
should be either wire or monofila-
these areas, kings are returning from
ment in the 100-pound-test class.
releases of hatchery-reared smolts, in
Shark hooks, flying gaffs, or
most instances released to provide
harpoons are often used to land
additional harvest in the marine boat
halibut. At least one of these
sport fisheries, as well as freshwater
items is necessary to land really
and marine shoreline fisheries. Local
large halibut.
Division of Sport Fish offices can fur-
nish the particulars on local terminal Both halibut and cod are
king salmon fisheries. taken on bait and jigs. Anglers
who fish for rockfish normally
Mature king salmon in terminal
use smaller baits or jigs. The
areas can be taken on large lures (such
usual bait is herring or other fish,
as Pixees, Krocodiles, and buzz-
but chrome or colored, weighted
bombs), and they will also take flies.
jigs are also used.
(Anglers should be aware that
Halibut, Pacific cod, the only parts of a sport-caught
and rockfish are usually fish—fish for which there is a bag
taken in the period from limit—that may be used for bait
May through September, are the head, fins, and viscera.)
although they’re avail-
able all year long. These A depth finder is a necessity
species tend to move into for dependable bottom fishing.
shallow water in warmer The best bottom fishing is usually
found on underwater ledges,
Bottomfish
summer months and to
overwinter in deeper reefs, or in channels, where
waters, usually beyond depths can range from 5 to 40
reach of sport anglers. fathoms.
Most bottom fishing
effort is targeted toward
halibut.
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