Prince of Wales coho hit prime time in the rivers as saltwater slows

Mid-September is prime time for bright freshwater coho on the Prince of Wales road system. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game area report dated Sept. 17, 2026 says the Klawock River opened to bait on Sept. 15 and has a lot of fresh fish. Staney Creek, the Harris River, and the hatchery return at Klawock are the other options the report names. Coho are in most drainages on the island.

Saltwater salmon fishing is slowing. Late coho and feeder kings are still around, and bottomfish — including halibut — remain good through the fall. Pink salmon are abundant in freshwater and are spawning. Dolly Varden are coloring up as they feed on salmon eggs ahead of their own spawn later in the fall.

King salmon regulations for 2026: the resident daily bag is three fish over 28 inches. The nonresident daily bag is two fish, with an annual harvest limit of four fish over 28 inches. A nonresident has to record species, date, and location as soon as a king is retained. Lingcod season closes Dec. 1. Demersal shelf rockfish, including yelloweye, have been closed to nonresidents since Aug. 26. Residents may still keep one a day and two in possession. Check the Southeast regulation summary before you keep a king, lingcod, or rockfish; bag and bait rules also change by freshwater.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: ADF&G — Prince of Wales Island sport fishing report (Sept. 17, 2026).