Fishing in northern Southeast Alaska Nearly all species of , flasher or dodger. The same gear , 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 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 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, , or 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 heavy-action trolling rods as a . 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 Salmon 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

9 pinks can also be taken in salt and Bottom consists fresh water on a variety of . 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 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 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 . shallow water in warmer The best bottom fishing is usually summer months and to found on underwater ledges, 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

Bottomfish halibut.

10