Sitka fishing forecast
Sitka is a saltwater fishing spot in Gulf of Alaska, United States. Anglers here target Chinook Salmon, Atlantic Halibut, Rockfish. The most productive months are typically May, June, July, August.
Current conditions
| Sea surface temp | 12.6 °C |
|---|---|
| Wind | 4 km/h from WSW |
| Wave height | 0.5 m at 8 s |
| Current | 0.01 m/s toward NNW |
| Pressure | 1007 hPa |
| Cloud cover | 100% |
The water here is 0.7 °C warmer than the July average of 11.9 °C. Warmer-than-normal water pushes cool-water species deeper and brings warm-water species in earlier than the calendar suggests. The water is mixed to about 39.4 m, with the thermocline below that.
Last updated Jul 28, 2026 (UTC). Conditions refresh through the day.
What the score means at Sitka
Sitka currently scores 59 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 12.6 °C. 8 forecast signals are active in this score. As a rough guide, a score above ~65 reflects conditions experienced anglers would typically fish; below ~45, consider waiting for a better window or targeting different species. The score blends live weather and ocean signals and can change through the day.
Bite windows
Best months for Sitka:
About this spot
Gulfs are partly enclosed and typically calmer and more protected than the open ocean, which can extend fishable conditions in wind.
What you can catch
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Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
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Hippoglossus hippoglossus
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Sebastes spp.
Best months by species at Sitka
| Chinook SalmonOncorhynchus tshawytscha | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic HalibutHippoglossus hippoglossus | ||||||||||||
| RockfishSebastes spp. |
Months reflect typical catchability by species at this latitude; local seasons and closures apply.
Local regulations
| Species | Bag limit | Min size | Open season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinook SalmonADF&G Sport Fishing Regulations — regional booklets and in-season Emergency Orders | — | — | — |
| LIMIT SET BY AREA AND BY EMERGENCY ORDER — FishRadar does not publish a number for Alaskan king salmon. ADF&G sets king limits separately in each regional sport fishing regulation booklet and changes them in-season by emergency order; some fisheries close entirely. A king salmon stamp is required in addition to a sport fishing licence, and an annual harvest record must be carried and filled in immediately on retaining a king. Read the current regulations for the specific area and check the emergency orders page before you fish. | |||
| RockfishADF&G Sport Fishing Regulations — regional booklets, rockfish provisions | — | — | — |
| LIMIT SET BY AREA, AND RELEASE METHOD IS REGULATED. Rockfish limits differ by regulation area and by rockfish assemblage (pelagic, non-pelagic, yelloweye). Alaska also requires a deepwater release mechanism aboard when sport fishing for groundfish in salt water, and rockfish that will not be retained must be released at depth — barotrauma kills surface-released rockfish. Read the booklet for the area you are fishing. | |||
Licensing:
- combined — residents Resident annual sport fishing licence $20.00. Resident annual king salmon stamp $10.00. Low-income combined sport fishing, hunting and trapping licence $5.00., non-residents Non-resident sport fishing licence: 1 day $15.00, 3 days $30.00, 7 days $45.00, 14 days $75.00, annual $100.00. A king salmon stamp is priced to match the licence: 1 day $15.00, 3 days $30.00, 7 days $45.00, 14 days $75.00, annual $100.00.
FishRadar publishes NO bag or size limits for Alaska, on purpose. Alaska does not set statewide sport limits: ADF&G issues separate regulation booklets for the Southeast, Southcentral, Southwest and Northern regions, and then amends them during the season by emergency order, which is how king salmon fisheries open and close. Pacific halibut is not managed by Alaska at all but by the International Pacific Halibut Commission and U.S. federal fisheries authority, with different rules for guided and unguided anglers. Read the ADF&G booklet for your specific area, and check the emergency orders page on the day you fish.
Check Sitka before you go
Live scores update through the day. Get the full forecast, bite windows, and your own saved spots in the FishRadar app.
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Nearby spots
Explore 5 more fishing spots within 988 km of Sitka.
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Juneau Gastineau Channel
Ketchikan Southeast Alaska
Kenai River AK
Kenai Peninsula
Homer Kachemak Bay
Frequently asked questions
What fish can you catch at Sitka?
Anglers at Sitka target Chinook Salmon, Atlantic Halibut and Rockfish.
When is the best time to fish Sitka?
The most productive months at Sitka are typically May, June, July, August.
What is the fishing forecast for Sitka right now?
Sitka currently scores 59 out of 100, based on live ocean and weather conditions — see the full breakdown on this page.
Do you need a licence to fish Sitka?
Fishing at Sitka follows the local rules for Gulf of Alaska, United States. Bag limits, size limits, seasons and licence requirements are summarised in the Local regulations section above, with a link to the official authority.
Fishing guides for this spot
- How to Catch Salmon: Kings, Coho, and SockeyeHow to Catch Pacific Halibut: The Barn Door of the North PacificHow to Read Tides for Fishing
Scores and conditions are forecasts for guidance only and can change rapidly. Always check local rules and current conditions, follow all fishing regulations, and prioritise your safety on the water.