The Harris River is located on Prince of Wales Island in the extreme southeastern area of Alaska, winding among the fjords and islands bordering Canada. Fishing enthusiasts flock to the Harris River for its excellent fishing opportunities. Harris River is known for its annual salmon run, but you can find a variety of other fish and enjoy spectacular natural views at the same time.
Types of Fish
The Harris River offers anglers plenty of fish, so you are unlikely to grow bored with all the variety. The types of fish you can catch in the Harris River include pink salmon, sockeye salmon, chum salmon, coho salmon, steelhead trout, Dolly Varden char, and cutthroat. Most of the salmon from the Harris River average about 3 to 5 pounds, with the larger coho weighing about 8 to 12 pounds on average. The steelhead trout average about 5 to 12 pounds, and the Dolly Varden char tend to average about 1 to 6 pounds.
Regulations for Harris River Fishing
You will need a sport fishing license and a harvest card before fishing in the state of Alaska. State laws regulate the amount of some of the Harris River fish, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the current regulations prior to fishing in the area. Regulations set the bag limits at one steelhead trout per day, and two per year, and daily bag limit for Dolly Varden at two per day as of August 2010. These regulations are subject to change at any time, so prior to your trip you can visit the Alaska Sport Fish Division website at www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us to check for updated regulations. Fish for which bag limits exist must be noted on your harvest card each time you bag one of these types of fish.
Fees for Licenses
The fishing license fee for the state of Alaska is $24 for Alaska state residents, and $145 for residents of other states as of August 2010. The license is valid until December 31 of the license year, except in the case of temporary permits. One-day fishing permits for non-Alaska residents are $20, three-day permits are $35, and seven-day permits are $55 as of August 2010.
Equipment You'll Need
Equipment is up to the individual angler, but you will need to bring along a medium spin rod or a medium fly rod. The bait types are largely a matter of personal preference, but each type of fish does tend to be attracted by different bait. Salmon, cutthroat and steelhead can normally be caught with bobbers or spinners. Dolly Varden may be caught with smaller spinners or flies. Coho can be caught successfully with spinners, salmon eggs or nightcrawlers.
Seasonal Fishing Factors
Fishing in the Harris River can vary with the season, so if you are looking for certain types of fish, plan your trip accordingly. Mid- to late July is the time to catch the sockeyes, but you'll have to wait until August and September to get the optimum number of pink or chum salmon. The coho salmon are typically seen from August to October. Dolly Varden and cutthroat may be seen anytime during the summer months.
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