I have gotten it into my head that I would like to try SE Alaska for steelhead. In particular Petersburg Creek, in Petersbug. Does anyone have any information they are willing to share? I have heard that April is a good time to go, but I don't have much other information. I have an idea that this is just before salmon get started and may be an opportunity that is not emphsized much. Am I deluded? Is the creek accessible by road; can one just go up there and hike in; is a guide necessary (and who may they be); this is strictly a walk-in fishery, right; is it accessible only by boat to the mouth of the creek; are accomodations plentiful in Petersburg, or is it booked that time of year; other helpful info? Or does anyone have similar info they are willing to share on any of the SE panhandle streams that might provide a kind of do-it-yourself (or with minimal help)adventure from Yakutat to Ketchikan?

hey T Dodge,i've been to petersburg creek a few times it's a pretty nice stream there's just not a huge run of steelhead on it,about 115 per season on average for the states survey, but you can catch a few,best time is april-may,petersburg is on mitkof island,petersburg creek is on kupreanof island across the channel,access is by boat only to the mouth at high tide then hike up from there,if you don't have your heart set totaly on petersburg creek,another good option would be the thorne river on prince of wales island,or the situk river in yakutat,just remember all of these streams don't alow bait,and check the regs before fishing,hope this helps.
also try this site www.state.ak.us/local/akpages/FISH.GAME/sportf/region1/geninfo/steel_ed.htm

FISH ON!!!

this is off the subject, but did any of you check out the website above? I did and was impressed on the regulations that Alaska has taken of there retention of wild steelhead. no bait on most systems and all fish under 36" must be released. they say that 95% of the fish are under that size. I can cetainly say that I have not landed a fish of that size. but it does give those that want to take steelhead that oppurtunity. Do any of you guides keep track of that sort of thing.

hey side slider,also to add to what you said there's a two fish annual limt on steelhead over 36"s,but there's no minnimum size limit on hatchery steelhead or annual limt.damn good regulations in my book,just my .02

FISH ON!!!

My first bit of advice is to call your local bookstore today and order "Alaska Fishing" by Rene Limeres & Gunnar Pederson. The ISBN is 0935701516. Amazon.com also carries the book and I think there are several reviews. Fantastic book for anyone wanting to fish in Alaska but is unsure of where to go for what kind of fishing.

Petersburg Creek would be WAY down my list of SE steelhead streams. If you do go there, you shouldn't have any problems getting accomodations. Although, the last time I was there was around 16 years ago.

The Situk is a world-class steelhead destination and has very limited road access, but almost all fishing is done by floating with a guide. I would imagine that accomodations, car rental and guides are pretty much booked for this spring. There are others on this board that can give you better info than I can, and I think at least one of them guides there. Try using the search option on this board.

If it were me, I would choose Prince Of Wales Island if I didn't, or couldn't, choose the Situk. There are several steelhead streams with decent runs that have road access, and one particular one that I want to try next year that is boat accessed. You can get a road map from the Forest Service, and they also have "cabins" for rent on some of the rivers. I spent a few days on POW in April of '98, and there is no problem getting a room at that time. The rooms are fairly expensive, though. I have a POW phone book, so if you would like numbers, feel free to ask.

If time is no object, consider taking a ferry out of Prince Rupert. I'm thinking about taking ferries to SE this spring round-trip from North Vancouver island.

Thank you guys very much for the replies! I am actively checking out the Situk and the POW situations. Again, thanks!

T Dodge, I've spent the past 10 summers fishing on and around P.O.W. and can tell you the steelhead fishing in late April and into May can be great, there are numerous stream and rivers that can be accessed by the islands 1000+ miles of logging roads, something to keep in mind if you do fish P.O.W. is that these systems are small, nothing here bigger then the Kalama. As for lodging, another option you might consider are the Forest Service cabins scattered across the island, nothing fancy, cheap, and some are in very good locations. good fishing

Scott,
Do you know if there's been any talks about expanding the Craig harbor facilities, especially the parking?

Did another oceanfront campground happen to spring up in the last two years? I gave up trying to get a long-term site at the one in Klawock. I talked to the owner whilke I was there and it sounds like someone has to die before a seasonal spot opens up.

AkBill, I've spent quite a bit of time in Craig the past few summers and though I've heard alot of similar complaints I haven't heard of any upcoming changes, parking is still the same, sorry I can't give you better info, good fishing