Yelloweye Makes a Comeback
Big news for anglers heading to Waterfall Resort—yelloweye is back on the menu! After several seasons of tight restrictions, yelloweye rockfish (commonly known as red snapper in Alaska) can now be retained again in the rich fishing grounds surrounding Prince of Wales Island.
For those who’ve fished Alaska before, you already know: yelloweye are a prized catch, not just for their vibrant orange-red coloring and deepwater mystique, but for their rich, flaky fillets and sheer beauty. And for first-time guests, this reopening is your chance to land a species that’s long been part of the Alaska sportfishing legacy.
Yelloweye rockfish had been off-limits to recreational anglers due to conservation concerns and slow population growth. In recent years, state and federal agencies monitored stocks closely, and now—for the 2025 season—they’ve determined that yelloweye populations in Southeast Alaska are healthy enough to allow limited harvest. Non-resident anglers can now retain yelloweye starting July 1st through August 25th.
This decision marks the first time since 2019 that anglers at Waterfall Resort can keep red snapper, and the excitement on the docks is real.
While final daily bag limits may vary based on precise timing and ongoing regulatory updates, guests at Waterfall Resort can opt to target yelloweye as part of their rockfish allowance between July 1 and August 25th. Guides will be briefed on all up-to-date guidelines, and your catch will be professionally cleaned and filleted just like your halibut and salmon.
It’s worth noting that the regulations are still cautious—yelloweye are a long-lived species that can live over 100 years, and they’re sensitive to overfishing. That’s why Waterfall Resort continues to support responsible catch practices, including deepwater release tools for other non-retainable rockfish species.
There’s something undeniably special about catching red snapper in Alaska. Often caught while jigging for lingcod or halibut along rocky drop-offs and deep reefs, yelloweye are sudden, colorful surprises that bring up the pace on any fishing day. They hit hard, and their bright color and exaggerated fins make them incredibly photogenic.
From a culinary standpoint, yelloweye rockfish is one of the tastiest fish in Alaskan waters. The meat is firm yet buttery, ideal for pan-frying, grilling, or even baking whole. Our chefs often describe it as a cross between halibut and snapper—mild, delicate, and hard to mess up.
🍽 A Favorite Recipe: Pan-Roasted Red Snapper with Garlic Herb Butter
After a long day on the water, few things beat a fillet of red snapper straight from the grill. Here’s one of our resort kitchen’s go-to recipes:
Ingredients:
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1 red snapper (yelloweye) fillet
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Olive oil, salt, and pepper
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2 tbsp butter
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1 garlic clove, minced
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Fresh parsley, dill, or chives
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Lemon wedges
Instructions:
Preheat a cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Lightly season the fillet and sear in olive oil until golden (about 4–5 minutes). Flip and reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic to the pan. Baste the fish with the melted herb butter until cooked through. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of herbs.
With the return of red snapper to Area 3A, anglers at Waterfall Resort can look forward to a more diverse, exciting, and rewarding fishing experience. From king and silver salmon to halibut, lingcod, and now yelloweye rockfish, every day on the water offers a chance at a wide variety of incredible species.
As always, our crew is here to help you get the most from every cast—and we can’t wait to see what you reel in this summer.
Reserve your spot for the 2025 season now at www.waterfallresort.com or call us at 800-544-5125.
📸 Caught a red snapper? Send your photos to fish@waterfallresort.com—we’d love to feature you in a future newsletter or on our social channels!