Articles written by Patrick Fowler Adfandg Area Management Biologist


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  • Petersburg Fishing Report

    Patrick Fowler ADFandG Area Management Biologist|May 13, 2021

    Steelhead, Cutthroat, and Dolly Varden The time is here for steelhead! If you haven’t yet been out searching for the elusive steelhead there are still a few weeks left while these spring spawning fish are present in freshwaters. Water temperatures are warming and anglers will find increasing opportunities for Dolly Varden and Cutthroat trout. Try fishing around log jams, cutbanks, deep pools, and eddy lines where these species seek calm water to efficiently wait and watch for tasty morsels to drift by with the current. When planning your n...

  • Petersburg Fishing Report

    Patrick Fowler ADFandG Area Management Biologist|Sep 3, 2020

    Coho Salmon Now is the time for coho salmon! Marine catch rates for coho salmon are typically at their peak around this time of year. Anglers can expect marine catch rates to gradually decline while opportunity increases for freshwater fishing as more coho migrate into their natal streams. Fishing near the confluence of fresh and saltwater with a casting or fly rod is a great way to spend the day fishing this time of year. There is nothing quite like having a chrome coho salmon on the hook and...

  • Petersburg Fishing Report

    Patrick Fowler ADFandG Area Management Biologist|Aug 6, 2020

    King Salmon The entire Petersburg and Wrangell area is now open to marine king salmon fishing. King salmon bag limits were increased as of July 15th. The following regional king salmon regulations issued are in effect from now until August 15th: Alaska resident: • Daily bag and possession limit of 4 king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. Nonresident: • Daily bag and possession limit of 2 king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. • Annual limit of 6 king salmon. Anglers are remin...

  • Petersburg Fishing Report

    Patrick Fowler ADFandG Area Management Biologist|Jun 25, 2020

    King Salmon Now is the time for king salmon! With the opening of much of our local waters on June 15, many anglers are enjoying time on the water targeting king salmon. The regional king salmon regulations have been updated as of June 15th, increasing opportunity for anglers. The current regional king salmon regulations are listed below: Alaska resident: • Daily bag and possession limit of 3 king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. Nonresident: • Daily bag and possession limit of 1 king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. • Annua...

  • Petersburg Fishing Report

    Patrick Fowler ADFandG Area Management Biologist|Jun 18, 2020

    King Salmon As of June 15, fishing for king salmon is now open in the majority of our local waters. Due to reduced nonresident harvest in the sport fishery related to COVID-19, the Southeast Alaska regional king salmon bag, possession, and annual limits were increased last week. Updated king salmon regulations as of June 15th are listed below: Alaska resident: • Daily bag and possession limit of 3 king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. Nonresident: • Daily bag and possession limit of 1 k...

  • Petersburg Fishing Report

    Patrick Fowler ADFandG Area Management Biologist|Apr 23, 2020

    Steelhead The spring steelhead fishing season is off to a strong start. Anglers report strong catch rates in the last week as more bright fish are moving into freshwater. Water levels have been good for fishing with consistent snow melt from our higher than average snowpack at elevation. Anglers can expect several more weeks of fishing opportunity as steelhead continue to enter freshwaters into May. Steelhead can be found in many local streams but some of the most popular areas to fish are Petersburg Creek, Big Creek and Hamilton River. With...

  • Petersburg Fishing Report

    Patrick Fowler ADFandG Area Management Biologist|Feb 20, 2020

    The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced this week the 2020 region wide sport fishing regulations for king salmon in Southeast Alaska and the modifications for the Petersburg/Wrangell Area. The following region wide regulations, are effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, February 12, 2020 through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, 2021: Alaska Resident • The resident bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. • From October 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021 a res...

  • Petersburg Sport Fishing Report

    Patrick Fowler ADFandG Area Management Biologist|Oct 4, 2018

    Coho Salmon Coho (silver) salmon catch rates have fallen in the marine fishery while opportunity for coho fishing is still present in freshwater. Typically, freshwater fishing for coho salmon peaks in the month of September and opportunity will continue through October for the majority of systems in the area. Anglers are reminded that the use of bait is allowed in many freshwater systems between September 15 and November 15, but be sure to check the 2018 sport fishing regulation summary for a list of the specific freshwater locations where...

  • Petersburg Fishing Report

    Patrick Fowler ADFandG Area Management Biologist|Aug 23, 2018

    Coho Salmon Coho salmon are regularly being intercepted in the marine sport fishery. Catch rates have continued to increase but have remained below the 5 year average. On average coho salmon marine catch rates begin to decline with the start of September as coho move toward their natal streams. Freshwater fishing for coho salmon is starting to pick up as anglers begin to encounter returning coho in local streams and lakes in increasing numbers. Freshwater fishing opportunity typically peaks in the month of September for most systems in the...

  • Petersburg Fishing Report

    Patrick Fowler ADFandG Area Management Biologist|Aug 16, 2018

    Coho Salmon Coho salmon are now regularly being intercepted in the marine sport fishery. Catch rates have continued to increase as we are entering the time period when our highest marine catch rates historically occur during mid-August. Anglers can expect marine catch rates to continue to improve over the next few weeks. Preliminary data suggests coho catch rates remain below the 5 year average at this point in time and similar to catch rates during 2014. It is still on the early side for freshwater fishing for coho salmon but anglers may...

  • Petersburg Fishing Report

    Patrick Fowler ADFandG Area Management Biologist|Aug 2, 2018

    King Salmon King salmon catch rates are slowing as the season winds down. Anglers may continue to intercept king salmon in marine waters although at reduced catch rates. As of August 1, the following king salmon regulations apply for all marine waters in the Petersburg and Wrangell areas: • The bag and possession limit (residents and nonresidents) is one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length. • For nonresidents the annual harvest limit is now one king salmon, nonresident anglers are reminded to record their king salmon harvest on the bac...

  • Petersburg fishing report

    Patrick Fowler ADFandG Area Management Biologist|Jul 19, 2018

    King Salmon King salmon is now open to harvest in all marine waters in the Petersburg and Wrangell area. The following regulations apply unless you are fishing in hatchery terminal areas where more liberal regulations apply. • The bag and possession limit (residents and nonresidents) is one king salmon 28 inches or greater in length. • For nonresidents the annual harvest limit is now one king salmon, nonresident anglers are reminded to record their king salmon harvest on the back of their fishing license or harvest record card. Hatchery kin...

  • Petersburg Fishing Report

    Patrick Fowler ADFandG Area Management Biologist|Jul 12, 2018

    King Salmon Anglers are finding success harvesting king salmon with the highest catch rates still being found in the Wrangell Narrows-Blind Slough terminal area. Anglers should be aware that different king salmon regulations apply depending on the area in which you are fishing: Waters adjacent to the Stikine River King salmon may not be retained in the marine waters adjacent to the Stikine River (district 8 and a small portion of district 7, in Eastern Passage) until July 15. For more...

  • Petersburg Fishing Report

    Patrick Fowler ADFandG Area Management Biologist|Nov 9, 2017

    Winter is fast approaching but that doesn’t mean you should hang up the fishing rod yet. This will be the last Petersburg/Wrangell fishing report for the 2017 season, fishing reports will resume in the spring of 2018. King Salmon Opportunity for king salmon can be found in local waters throughout the winter, although catch rates are much lower than the peak season. The following king salmon regulations are now in effect through March 31, 2018. Residents: • Bag and possession limit is two king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. • Resid...

  • Petersburg Fishing Report

    Patrick Fowler ADFandG Area Management Biologist|Oct 5, 2017

    King Salmon Due to conservation concerns, the retention of king salmon is prohibited in all Southeast Alaska salt waters, including the Petersburg/Wrangell area. This closure went into effect 12:01am, Thursday, August 10, 2017 and will continue until October 1, 2017. After 12:01 a.m. October 1, 2017 sport fishing will open to king salmon fishing in salt water with the following regulations: Residents: ● Bag and possession limit is two king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. ● Residents may use two rods when fishing for king salmon fro...