Regulation reminders:
· The bag limit for Unalaska Bay fresh and saltwaters is 5 salmon per day of which only 2 may be sockeye and 2 may be coho.
· The bag limit for the remainder of Unalaska Island is 5 salmon per day all of which may be sockeye or coho.
· Anglers are reminded that Town Creek (Iliuliuk) is closed to fishing for sockeye year round, and the freshwater’s of the creek are closed to snagging.
· The saltwaters of Summer’s Bay are open to snagging; however, the freshwaters from the outlet of Summer’s Bay Lake to the ocean are closed to all sportfishing.
· Remember: the seasonal closure of the Saltwater’s 250 yds around Summer’s Bay Creek go in to effect August 16th.
· All freshwaters of Unalaska Island are closed to snagging year round.
· Anglers are reminded that many of the creeks flowing into Unalaska Bay have closed waters for a portion of the drainage or all of the drainage in some cases. Be sure to keep an eye out for signs marking closed waters and to consult the Southwest Alaska Sportfish regulation booklet for a complete list of sport fishing regulations for Unalaska Bay.
Fishing reports:
· Pink salmon are showing up in Unalaska Bay, particularly at Summer’s Bay and Town Creek, runs should continue to build through mid-August. Ocean bright pink salmon can be great if they are grilled fresh from the water!
· The sockeye run at Summer’s Bay should be winding down and sockeye may be tougher to find as the pink salmon run builds.
· Some reports from other areas indicate coho are showing up a little early this year so keep an eye out for early silvers!
· The sockeye run to McClee’s Lake is winding down, though some fish may still be able to be caught in Reese Bay and at Wislow. The ADF&G weir at McClee’s Lake has been pulled for the season with nearly 40,000 sockeye counted.
· Dollies should be prevalent in most rivers now, and in many places will likely follow pink salmon as they move into spawning areas.
· Halibut has been excellent with lots of success reported in Unalaska Bay and in Unalga Pass. Halibut fishing should be nearing its peak in waters closer to shore.
· Crab fishing should continue to be good with a shift towards Dungeness in Nateekin and Broad Bay. Dungies often move into shallower water in late-summer and early fall.
Tyler Polum is an assistant area biologist in Kodiak, Alaska. Contact Tyler Polum or Michelle Stratton at 486-1880 for more sport fishing information.