Johnstone Passage

Saltwater
Pass

Johnstone Passage

Saltwater
Pass

Sq. miles: 1.3
Boat Ramps: 0
Access Points: 0
Species: 6

Johnstone Passage is a narrow, 2.4-mile-long saltwater passage trending north from Yakutat Roads into Ahduck Bay, running along the northeastern coast of Khantaak Island just north of Yakutat. This tidal waterway is situated within the expansive, glacially-fed waters of Yakutat Bay on Alaska's southeastern coast. The passage is defined by its strong tidal currents and deep, cold water, creating a dynamic marine environment that concentrates baitfish and attracts predatory species. Fishing here is a quintessential Alaskan saltwater experience, governed by the rhythms of the tides and the region's dramatic weather.

Alaska licenses and regulations6 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Johnstone Passage and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Chinook Salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Coho Salmon

Oncorhynchus kisutch

Lingcod

Ophiodon elongatus

Pacific Halibut

Hippoglossus stenolepis

Pink Salmon

Oncorhynchus gorbuscha

Spot

Leiostomus xanthurus

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Johnstone Passage. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Productive fishing is found along the entire length of the passage where depth changes and current edges occur. The mouths of the passage at both the southern and northern ends are prime areas where tidal flow concentrates bait. The edges of the channel, any submerged rocky points, and deeper holes along the Khantaak Island shoreline are likely holding areas for bottom fish. Underwater structures such as rocky reefs, shelves, and steep drop-offs attract rockfish and lingcod.

Know where you can legally fish on Johnstone Passage

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Alaska licenses and regulations

Alaska Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Alaska Coastal & Inland Waters

A single Alaska sport fishing licence covers both freshwater and marine coastal waters under state jurisdiction, so no separate saltwater licence is needed. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game manages state waters and publishes region-specific regulations for areas including Southeast, Southcentral, Southwest, and Northern Alaska. When fishing in waters that fall under federal jurisdiction beyond the state boundary, federal rules apply instead.

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Alaska Federal Waters & Offshore Rules

Once you fish beyond state waters, NOAA Fisheries and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council set the rules. Federal regulations govern species such as tuna, sharks, swordfish, and billfish in those offshore waters. Check NOAA Fisheries for any federal permits or reporting requirements that apply to the species and gear you plan to use.

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Alaska Saltwater Fishing License

Alaska residents 18 and older and nonresidents 16 and older must have a sport fishing licence to fish in both fresh and marine waters. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game issues licences, and resident seniors 60 and older plus qualifying disabled veterans use a free ADF&G Identification Card instead. Resident anglers under 18 and nonresidents under 16 are exempt from the licence requirement, and a separate king salmon stamp is required for anyone targeting king salmon.

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Alaska Saltwater Size & Bag Limits

Size and bag limits apply per species and can shift throughout the year, and emergency orders can change them at any time. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game sets these rules for species including king salmon, silver salmon, halibut, rockfish, and lingcod. Check the current regulations for the region where you plan to fish before heading out, and always look for active emergency orders.

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Alaska Shellfish Closures & Advisories

Recreational shellfish harvesting in Alaska is subject to closures that can be issued at any time due to biotoxins, paralytic shellfish poisoning, or other public health concerns. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation monitors biotoxin levels and posts current closure and advisory information. Check those advisories before harvesting clams, oysters, crab, or other shellfish, as affected areas can change quickly and contaminated shellfish show no visible signs of toxicity.

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Take Johnstone Passage with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Johnstone Passage to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Johnstone Passage to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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Tides, wind & water conditions (10 day forecast)

On open water, wind and tide matter as much as the weather. See the best times to fish Johnstone Passage and check the marine forecast before you launch.

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