Sitka Alaska provides year round halibut fishing opportunities. However, most productive season to fish halibut in Sitka is late summer from July to August. Halibut catch rates improve from early spring throughout the summer months peaking in mid August and then tapering off again in September as halibut migrate toward deeper waters of the Gulf of Alaska.
Sitka isn’t as well known as Homer and Seward for monster fish, but catching a halibut in the 300 pound range is not uncommon. The 200+ pound halibut hanging from the wooden post in the picture below was taken August 18, 2017 in waters just off Sitka, Alaska.
Typical halibut catches in Sitka waters range from 20 to 40 pounds, however, many anglers will come away with a 50 to 150 pound halibut after just a day of fishing. What Sitka may lack in poundage, it more than makes up for in numbers. Halibut catch rates in Sitka are relatively high compared to other fishing grounds. Halibut are abundant throughout the coves, sounds and inlets in the waters surrounding Sitka, Alaska.
Halibut Fishing Grounds
The following map provides the GPS coordinates for some of the most productive halibut fishing spots located within a boat ride of Sitka. Click on a map marker for location details.
The table below provides the name, location and coordinates for the halibut fishing spots identified the map above. To view the location in Google maps, click the “Directions” link in the location column.
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Fish Bay | Distance from Sitka: 35 miles Coordinates: 57.360134013965165, -135.49547647079618 Directions |
| Hayward Strait | Distance from Sitka: 11 miles Coordinates: 57.14972983875614, -135.55502125564504 Directions |
| Starrigavan Bay | Distance from Sitka: 6 miles Coordinates: 57.13448489194338, -135.38206218818542 Directions |
| Crow Island | Distance from Sitka: 8 miles Fish deeper water west of Crow Island Coordinates: 57.10780346771624, -135.4956808323663 Directions |
| Inner Point | Distance from Sitka: 8.5 miles Coordinates: 57.087445792297046, -135.55979632443066 Directions |
| Kamenoi Point | Distance from Sitka: 11.5 miles Coordinates: 57.1370165264467, -135.5559017305133 Directions |
| Crab Bay | Distance from Sitka: 11 miles Coordinates: 57.14093740496804, -135.56062264585717 Directions |
| Western Channel | Distance from Sitka: 3 miles Coordinates: 57.04405636379449, -135.4009778151729 Directions |
| Sitka Sound | Distance from Sitka: 5 miles Coordinates: 56.99268102642189, -135.42839017099496 Directions |
| Vitskari Island | Distance from Sitka: 8.5 miles Coordinates: 56.99037725234943, -135.54878567893152 Directions |
| St Lazaria Island | Distance from Sitka: 14 miles Coordinates: 56.97802545739065, -135.67823945935535 Directions |
| St Lazaria Island | Distance from Sitka: 15 miles Coordinates: 56.97383601493832, -135.70700335750365 Directions |
| Point Mary | Distance from Sitka: 36 miles Coordinates: 57.16581169221178, -135.84666527259327 Directions |
| Mount Point | Distance from Sitka: 10 miles Coordinates: 57.11591835803476, -135.56245845910445 Directions |
| Sitka Sound | Distance from Sitka: 10 miles Coordinates: 57.043977892163745, -135.5797904591074 Directions |
| Lisianski Point | Distance from Sitka: 12 miles Coordinates: 57.14098640490503, -135.39391854375782 Directions |
| Olga Strait | Distance from Sitka: 12 miles Coordinates: 57.185742078247586, -135.4600670860831 Directions |
| Krest Point | Distance from Sitka: 11 miles Coordinates: 57.13980480115307, -135.5010138149214 Directions |
| Harbor Point | Distance from Sitka: 8 miles Coordinates: 57.12826462171685, -135.39409591677676 Directions |
| Golf Island | Distance from Sitka: 30 miles Coordinates: 56.7721955953046, -135.41213671308157 Directions |
| Olga Strait | Distance from Sitka: 16 miles Coordinates: 57.22372271998605, -135.51922691677285 Directions |
| Shelikof Bay | Distance from Sitka: 33 miles Coordinates: 57.157459603984144, -135.80013699158442 Directions |
| Partof Point | Distance from Sitka: 18 miles Coordinates: 57.232241993010554, -135.55964210328173 Directions |
| South Necker Islands | Distance from Sitka: 19 miles Coordinates: 56.80208397128903, -135.46862400144428 Directions |
| Biorka Reef | Distance from Sitka: 14.5 miles Coordinates: 56.89045274628899, -135.6151038351202 Directions |
| Cape Edgecumbe | Distance from Sitka: 22 miles Coordinates: 56.99974308486554, -135.88378227976386 Directions |
| Point Amelia | Distance from Sitka: 41 miles Coordinates: 57.232617332920306, -135.89004746770007 Directions |
| Salisbury Sound | Distance from Sitka: 30 miles Coordinates: 57.3730862740526, -135.79112085043957 Directions |
The best halibut fishing in Sitka is in the open water and can only be reached by boat. There are few locations where anglers can fish halibut from shore. Starrigavan Bay, Halibut Point Recreation Area and Crescent Bay all provide descent access where anglers can target halibut from shore. Of these three, Starrigavan Bay is best known for producing the occassional halibut catch.
Starrigavin Bay is roughly 8 miles north of Sitka at end of Halibut Point Road. The shoreline is accessed by passing through Starrigavin Campground. Halibut Point is also north of Sikta, but only about 4-1/2 miles up the road. Crescent Bay is just a stone throw from the Sheldon Jackson College Science Center. Most people park int the Center’s parking lot then walk to Crescent Bay.
Some of the most productive halibut fishing grounds near Sitka include Vitskari Rocks, Salisbury Sound, Fish Bay, Cape Edgecumbe, the waters west of Kruzof Island, Kakul Narrows, Sitka Sound and the waters of Sealion Island.
