Fishing in Yakutat offers two distinct experiences: freshwater fishing on the legendary Situk River and saltwater action out in Yakutat Bay. Each setting brings its own challenges, scenery, and seasonal highlights. What sets Yakutat apart is the wide range of species you can target across both environments. Here’s a look at the fish we go after when fishing in Yakutat.
Fishing in Yakutat is a unique combination of world-class freshwater and saltwater fishing, all set in the breathtaking wilderness of Southeast Alaska. Whether you’re hiking into a remote riverbank or launching into the Gulf of Alaska, this region delivers variety, nonstop action, and serious bragging rights.
For freshwater adventures, anglers head straight to the renowned Situk River, Yakutat’s most popular fishery. In the spring, wild steelhead trout take center stage. The Situk steelhead run draws fly anglers from around the world. As summer rolls in, sockeye and silver salmon arrive in strong numbers. These salmon runs offer steady action for anyone wading the clear, cold water. Whether you choose to float the river, walk along its banks, or post up at a favorite hole, the Situk consistently delivers.
Meanwhile, saltwater fishing in Yakutat opens up even more opportunities. Offshore trips target king salmon, halibut, lingcod, and rockfish, with silvers running hot in late summer. The variety out here is impressive, and so is the size of the fish. Whether you’re jigging deep for a barn-door halibut or trolling for chrome-bright kings, the saltwater scene in Yakutat keeps anglers coming back season after season.
