Fishing spots in the Petersburg/ wrangell area

F ish coastal waters by boat or along Boats used in local marine areas are shorelines, drive or hike to roadside typically 14 ft or longer and seaworthy streams or lakes, and hike or fly in to A small horsepower ‘kicker’ engine remote lakes Weather and one’s along with the main engine, a VHF or determination are key factors for a CB radio, and full Coast Guard-re- memorable sport fishing outing The quired equipment are suggested next sections offer general informa- TROLLING—the traditional method for tion, methods and recommended gear catching salmon Trolling involves for each type of fishing spot horizontally towing a flasher or dodger You will find up-to-date weekly (optional) trailed by bait or artificial fishing reports, emergency closures, lure behind the boat Many prefer and more, posted on our website at: wwwstateakus/adfg/sportf/region1/ trolling close and parallel to shoreline r1homehtm Trolling rods are 6–8 ft long with And you can e-mail the area sport medium to heavy action Conventional fish biologist in Petersburg at: reels, filled with at least 200 yards of doug_fleming@fishgamestateakus 20- to 40-pound-test monofilament line, work well Lead weights are used in In Salt Water various shapes and sizes from 2 to 24 ounces, depending on conditions Maps on page 20 and 22 show some productive saltwater fishing Herring is the bait of choice, fished areas These coastal waters are most whole with a slight bend, in a cut-plug effectively fished by boat (Roadside fashion, or in filleted strips on a single saltwater sport fishing is available or tandem hook (size 2/0 to 5/0) rig on a but limited for king salmon, coho 2- to 8-ft leader Spoons or plugs that salmon, pink salmon, rockfish, imitate baitfish are good artificial lures halibut, shellfish, cutthroat trout, and Trolling with downriggers is often Dolly Varden) Public boat launches effective in deeper waters, especially are maintained in Petersburg, for king salmon It’s not unusual to Wrangell, and Kake catch halibut when using downriggers

16 When the fish strikes, line is released shallow nearshore waters Tackle size from the downrigger weight, and depends on the size of fish pursued: 7- direct battle with the fish begins The to 9-ft rods, with matched spinning or weight release allows the angler to use baitcasting reels and 10- to 20-pound- a more sensitive, limber fishing rod test monofilament line, perform well and lighter line Spoons, spinners, small metal jigs, and herring or other bait will catch fish BOTTOMFISHING—effective for catching halibut, rockfish, lingcod, and other bottom-dwelling fishes below a In Fresh Water drifting or anchored boat along the Roadside Bottomfishing uses 5- to 8-ft rods with heavy action, conventional reel, and The expanded area road system 40- to 100-pound-test monofilament or offers increased access to some great braided line The heavier gear adds roadside sport fishing for salmon, strength for freeing snagged terminal trout, and char Salmon and steelhead tackle and hefting large fish from a are caught primarily in streams—sea- rocky bottom run and resident rainbows, cutthroat, and Dolly Varden are caught in FLYFISHING—generally most produc- streams and lakes Many streams and tive for near-surface feeding fish such lakes are within five minutes’ walk as coho and pink salmon or certain from local roads The maps on page rockfish species Use a high capacity 20 and 22 show some of the better fly reel with at least 100 yards of roadside fishing spots around Peters- backing, matched on an 8- to 10-ft fly burg and Wrangell rod (7-weight or heavier) Streamers and other fly patterns which imitate Fishing methods vary by species baitfish may be effectively presented and location Drift fishing, flyfishing, with high density, shooting head, sink- and spinning or spincasting are all tip or standard sinking lines effective in streams Skiffs, canoes, or inflatable rafts are used to flyfish, SPINNING OR BAITCASTING—used by troll, and spin or spincast on lakes, and saltwater anglers from boat or shore- ice fishing can sometimes be done in line to catch salmon, rockfish, sea-run winter Shoreline fishing can also be trout, or Dolly Varden productive along lakes, if access is not This gear is particularly effective impeded by shallow lake margins, when fish are seen at the surface or in swampy muskegs, or dense vegetation

17 DRIFT FISHING—the most popular For other species, 3- to 7-weight rods method for catching steelhead and work well salmon as well as other trout and Egg and shrimp imitations are effec- Dollies in area streams A promising tive for steelhead, salmon, other trout, stretch of water often flows into or out and Dolly Varden Dry flies which of pools or undercut stream banks— imitate adult mosquitos, other black areas that frequently hold fish flies, mayflies, or stoneflies are effective Depending on what you are fishing lures for trout and Dolly Varden during for, a 6- to 9-ft rod with light to hatches in late spring and summer medium action and matching spinning Sinking patterns which imitate juvenile or baitcasting reel with 4- to 15-pound- salmon, sculpin, and insect larvae also test monofilament line, is effective catch fish on a regular basis (Hip boots or chest waders are needed SPINNING AND SPINCASTING— to cross or cover most streams) frequently used techniques for catching Egg imitations, small plugs, spoons, game fish in fresh water Use the same and spinners will yield good results tackle for spinning and spincasting as for Proper drift is achieved when the cast drift fishing is quartered upstream and the weight touches the stream bottom regularly ICE FISHING—a limited winter pastime every one to three seconds A strike for some brave anglers Trout and can actually be felt or is indicated Dolly Varden are found in several when the line stops Water conditions roadside lakes and streams in winter, but dictate the weight needed Too much use extreme caution when venturing weight causes snags; too little creates onto ice In mild winters, ice cover may unnatural drift Split-shot, pencil lead, be too thin for ice fishing to be safe or lures from 1/16 to 1/2 ounce provide ample weight Some anglers use a Remote, Fly-in Lakes bobber or other float 1 to 4 feet above Remote lakes and streams are their offering to fish various depths numerous and are especially inviting to FLYFISHING—effective in stream anglers seeking solitude in a pristine riffles, runs, pocket water and pools nature setting Maps on page 20 and for all freshwater game fish in the area 22 show some of the larger and better For steelhead and salmon, use 7- to fish-producing remote waters, and the 9-weight fly rods and corresponding accompanying tables detail access, lines on reels with a good drag system facilities, and species available

18 Remote locations are reached by floatplane, boat, or hiking trails Re- mote waters are not for all anglers, as most have no public facilities or ser- vices near them Some of the more popular remote systems do have Forest Service cabins nearby photo by Mark Schwan Salmonids found in roadside waters also inhabit remote systems Two remote lakes were stocked with Arctic grayling in the 1960s and again in 1972 Brook trout were stocked in Crystal Lake in the 1940s The same methods as used in road- side waters are effective in remote waters The main difference is in the extra planning and choice of equipment for fishing trips to remote areas USFS cabin at Swan Lake, Small inflatable rafts or float tubes near Thomas Bay may be the only practical fishing vessels at some fly-in lakes Choose pack rods, back-packs (floatplane pilots • Take along enough food for at least prefer internal frame or soft packs), or four extra days and a gun or other other compact equipment means of obtaining food, if neces- sary Follow these tips for a successful sport • Carry a good supply of waterproof fishing trip in a remote area: matches, additional fire starter, in- • Make sure someone responsible sect repellent, and/or a head net (not accompanying you) knows • Carry a complete First Aid kit, along your schedule and mode of travel with visual signal devices (flares, • If you hire a charter flight or other mirror, etc) transportation, make sure the pilot • Don’t drink water unless it has been knows when and where to pick boiled for at least ten minutes you up • Don’t travel alone

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