Geography

• Sitka is located on the western edge of Baranof Island in the Alaska Panhandle among the many islands and fjords that make up the region. The town is located 185 miles north of Ketchikan, and 100 miles south of the capital city of Juneau.
  
  

Species of Fish

• Salmon fishing is popular as Alaska is home to king salmon and coho (silver) salmon. Anglers also will find Dolly Varden, rainbow, steelhead, and brook trout in Sitka area freshwater streams. Lingcod, red snapper and halibut are common saltwater species in the region.
  
  

Licenses

• The Alaska Department of Fish and Game requires all residents between the ages of 16 and 60 to purchase a sports fishing license. All non-residents regardless of age are required to purchase a license. An annual license for residents costs $24. Non- residents can purchase licenses for one, five, seven, and 14 days or an annual license. The prices range from $20 to $145. King salmon stamps also are required to fish for king salmon, and cost $5 to $100, depending on duration and residency status.
  
  

Regulations

• The halibut limit around Sitka is two fish per angler per day. King salmon fishing is heavily regulated, and only a certain number of licenses and stamps are sold every year. Seasons for other fish can vary from year to year, although there are generally few open seasons from December through February. Penalties for fishing without a license can range from hefty thousand dollar fines to actual jail time.
  
  

Peak Fishing Times

• The best time to fish for king salmon in Sitka is May through July when they're in saltwater, and June through August for freshwater. The peak halibut season is June through mid-September, although they are available almost year-round. May through June is the peak season for all trout species except brook trout, who are at their peak from July through September.