This Yakutat Fishing Report takes you through the season’s best action, from hard‑fighting steelhead in the rivers to big halibut and bottomfish in Yakutat Bay. Follow the changing runs, hot spots, and fresh fishing tips as the year unfolds, and get inspired for your next trip to one of Alaska’s most productive and beautiful fisheries.

A trip on the Situk River with the Yakutat Lodge offers an unforgettable fishing experience.

End of Season Fishing

Coho salmon fishing was good to excellent in all freshwaters of Yakutat in September. The Situk-Ahrnklin Inlet set gillnet fishery and Yakutat Bay fishery opened mid-September with strong participation and above-average coho harvests. Salmon escapement monitoring indicates healthy returns. Fishing typically winds down by late September, with systems opening again spring. This wraps up the 2025 Yakutat fishing season; see you next season!

Strong Sockeye Finish and Coho Take Center Stage

September 4, 2025

Yakutat delivered strong fishing through August, with silvers stealing the show both in saltwater and on the Situk. Offshore, coho action was hot around Point Munoz, Point Carrew, Ocean Cape, and the islands, with anglers trolling herring, spoons, or hoochies before switching to mooching or jigging once schools were located. Halibut catches slowed with a few larger fish showing late in the month, while lingcod and black rockfish stayed steady. Freshwater anglers found excellent dolly varden fishing on the Situk and nearby creeks, plus early coho piling up in the lower river, especially when rain moved fish upstream. Pinks wound down by the end of the month, but enough were around to keep things lively.

The 2025 sockeye run wrapped up as one of the best in recent years. The Situk River weir count closed August 7 at 125,977 fish, second only to 2023’s total of 127,917, and far above escapement goals. Anglers reported bright, hard-fighting fish and steady limits through July and August.

August in Yakutat was classic Alaska fishing: fast silver bites, steady dollies, and just enough halibut, pinks, and kings to round things out. September promises more silvers and river action ahead.

Mid-August on Situk River and Yakutat Saltwater

August 19, 2025

Mid-August finds Yakutat action heating up as the Situk River’s silver salmon (coho) run begins to build momentum. The first bright silvers started trickling in around the end of July, and by early August, fish were stacking in the lower two miles, awaiting rain and higher water to move upstream. Most anglers are finding success near the river mouth and tidal areas, targeting coho with single-hook spinners, jigs, and plugs, adhering to local regulations that require single barbed hooks.

The Situk River silver run typically peaks between the third week of August and early September, depending on rainfall and river flows. This peak brings larger pulses of coho charging upstream, spreading throughout the system and providing fast-paced action for both fly and spin anglers. With favorable tides and rain in the forecast, the next few weeks promise prime silver fishing conditions in Yakutat’s iconic river and surrounding saltwater hotspots.

On the saltwater side, coho fishing has been excellent, with steady catches near Point Munoz, Point Carrew, and Ocean Cape, plus solid action inside the islands and Ankau Lagoon. Halibut fishing has slowed a bit, with the average size trending smaller, but marine weather is favorable for getting out on the water, and halibut opportunities should remain good through the next month.

Coho Run Begins Late-Summer Action

August 11, 2025

August fishing in Yakutat is defined by strong coho salmon action, especially on the Situk River and in Yakutat Bay. Good numbers of silvers are being caught by anglers trolling spoons or herring behind flashers near Kahntaak Island, Ocean Cape, and inside the bay. Both bank and boat anglers are enjoying consistent limits, often landing three to six fish per day. The lower Situk is the best location for fresher coho, while pink salmon action is tapering off though some are still taken in the lower river. Lingcod and black rockfish fishing remains excellent over rocky reefs and structure, with most species responding to jigs, darts, or herring. Halibut fishing has become more challenging due to thinner fish dispersal and tough weather, but persistent anglers are still bringing in good catches.

Sockeye salmon returns to the Situk River were robust in 2025, with 125,977 fish counted by August 7, reflecting the strong runs seen across Alaska this year. This year’s total is about 69 percent higher than 2024’s 74,456, and it ranks among the highest for this date in the past five seasons, edging out 2023’s 115,123 and coming close to the standout 127,917 fish seen in 2022. The weir was officially pulled for the year on August 7th concluding the count.

Sockeye Surge and Building Pink Runs

July 25, 2025

Sockeye salmon fishing on the Situk River is outstanding in early July, with escapement numbers exceeding goals and a bag limit increase to six fish daily. Water levels are ideal and fish are well distributed, creating strong opportunities for bank and drift anglers. Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout are also abundant, with lures that mimic salmon fry producing well.  Offshore, king salmon fishing remains a key draw, with Yakutat Bay turning out fish when weather breaks. Many boats are reporting steady action on kings along with a solid halibut bite, often finding quick limits and above‑average size fish close to shore.

By late July, pink salmon runs are building in the lower river, adding variety alongside the continued sockeye and Dolly Varden action. Marine fishing produces steady catches of lingcod and rockfish, and halibut remain strong for those making longer runs offshore. Rain and wind become more frequent, occasionally limiting offshore access. Anglers watch for updated closures and gear rules to stay in compliance.

Situk River King salmon sport fishery opened on July 26. See the EO here.

Sport fishing for King salmon reopened July 28th for nonresident anglers in Southeast Alaska. See this EO here.

Sockeye Run Gains Speed in June

June 27, 2025

June marks the rise of Yakutat’s sockeye season, with early fish already in the Situk and numbers climbing steadily. Bank and drift anglers do well with flies and small spinners, while Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout provide steady side action. King salmon opportunities remain in saltwater, though results are modest in early June.

Sockeye numbers surge toward the end of June, with large daily counts prompting liberalized harvest limits. Dollies, cutthroat, and smolt-chasing trout keep freshwater anglers busy. Halibut and lingcod catches become more consistent as offshore weather improves, and the lingcod opener boosts interest in reef fishing.

Steelhead Winds Down, Kings and Halibut Pick Up

May 30, 2025

Steelhead fishing on the Situk River begins to taper in early May as most fish move to upper spawning grounds. Cool weather and moderate water flows allow good wading conditions, and persistent anglers are still landing trophy-caliber steelhead. Saltwater fishing begins to pick up as halibut move into nearshore areas.

By late May, steelhead season is effectively over, but early sockeye start staging in the lower river. Offshore fishing for halibut improves, and lingcod season begins May 16, bringing excellent nearshore reef action. Rockfish are plentiful for bottomfish anglers working deeper structure.

Prime Steelhead Time

April 28, 2025

Early spring on the Situk brought success on this memorable trip with the Yakutat Lodge!

Early April is all about steelhead on the Situk River. Cold conditions and early rain pulses help push fresh fish into the system, and anglers in boats find good success reaching prime pools. Nymphs, egg patterns, and small spoons are the top producers. This spring saw solid numbers of large fish, with many over 30 inches and some topping 36 inches. Both fly and conventional anglers found steady hookups thanks to low fishing pressure. Black, purple, and cerise jigs worked especially well for fly anglers, while pink and peach beads proved reliable under floats. River clarity averaged 2–3 feet, with productive spots scattered in both upper and lower reaches.

The steelhead run peaks through mid to late April, with fish spread throughout the river. Weather alternates between heavy rain and brief clear spells, influencing water clarity and access. Persistent anglers continue to land quality fish, with fewer crowds and steady action before May’s transition to summer species.

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