Cold Spring Delays Situk River Steelhead Spawning, Extends Fishing Season

An unusually cold spring in Yakutat has delayed steelhead spawning in the Situk River, extending the fishing season as spring-run fish remain in the system longer than typical. The Situk River has reached 6 degrees Celsius only three times this year, according to a May 22 fishing report from Alaska Department of Fish and Game Area Management Biologist Jason Pawluk.

The cold water delayed steelhead spawning and entry of spring-run fish, Pawluk said. Steelhead remain present in the river and fishing continues to be good. Water levels shot back up on Wednesday to 625 cubic feet per second, making wade fishing difficult; boat fishing is unaffected.

The high water in May has also delayed installation of the fish weir, but staff hope to get it installed in the next week. Staff have observed fish spread throughout the lower river. Fishing should remain good for another week or so until fish start out-migrating in large numbers.

Saltwater Fishing

King salmon fishing is heating up with some nice fish being caught recently. Redfield, Logdump, Johnstone Pass, and Monti Bay are good locations. Most anglers troll spoons or herring behind a flasher. Anglers should check the ADF&G website for recent emergency order and advisory announcements regarding 2026 regional king salmon regulations for Southeast Alaska.

Halibut fishing has been tough the last week due to weather, but conditions will improve based on the long-term forecast. Fishing should start picking up soon.

Lingcod fishing opened May 16 with good catches being reported. Anglers should try jigging lead-head jigs with brightly colored tails over rocky pinnacles or outcroppings.

Fishing for rockfish is excellent in the Yakutat area. Anglers should try fishing smaller jigs or darts tipped with chunks of herring near pinnacles or shallow rocky structures.

For further information, contact Yakutat Area sport fish management biologist Jason Pawluk at (907) 465-4224. Emergency orders can be found on the ADF&G website.