Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 28, 2018

Regulation Reminders and Emergency Orders

Emergency Orders

• Anglers are reminded to review Emergency Orders and News Releases for the Kodiak Area before heading out on their next fishing trip.
  • Per Emergency Order No. 2-RS-4-17-18, effective June 16, 2018, the Afognak River drainage (Litnik) is closed to sport fishing for sockeye salmon.
  • Per Emergency Order No. 2-RS-4-16-18, effective June 16, 2018, the Buskin River drainage is closed to sport fishing for sockeye salmon.
  • Per Emergency Order No. 2-KS-4-08-18, effective June 1, 2018, Monashka Creek and Bay are closed to king salmon fishing. In addition, the use of bait is prohibited in Monashka Creek.
  • Per Emergency Order No. 2-KS-4-07-18, effective June 1, 2018, in the Karluk River drainage, including Karluk Lagoon, fishing for king salmon is closed. In addition, the use of bait is prohibited for all fishing downstream of Karluk Lake.
  • Per Emergency Order No. 2-KS-4-06-18, effective June 1, 2018, in the Ayakulik River drainage, king salmon fishing is restricted to catch and release. All king salmon caught must be released without being removed from the water. In addition, the use of bait is prohibited and only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lures may be used.

Regulation Reminders

• Anglers are reminded there are new rockfish regulations for the Kodiak Area.
  • The bag and possession limits for rockfish in Chiniak and Marmot Bays has been reduced to 3 per day, 6 in possession, only 2 per day, 4 in possession may be non-pelagic, and only 1 per day, 2 in possession may be a Yelloweye. Please review the 2018 Southwest Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for a detailed map of the affected area.

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• Sockeye runs at Buskin and Litnik are past their peak and not expected to meet escapement goals, despite subsistence and sport closures. Both runs are experiencing record low returns. The count at Buskin is just over 1,000 fish and about 9,000 for Litnik.
• The Karluk and Ayakulik weirs are counting sockeye and kings. Sockeye runs on the south and west side of the island are strong in terms of escapement. King salmon runs are similar to previous years and below what would be needed to allow harvest. The king salmon count at Karluk is about 1,900 and about 1,700 at Ayakulik. The Ayakulik weir was recently pulled for 5 days due to high water and the count should be considered a minimal estimate.
• A few sockeye have been counted at Pasagshak and by most reports, indicate that fishing is slow.
• A few sockeye have been counted at the Saltery weir as well, but the run appears to be off to a normal start. Both Saltery and Pasagshak are at less than 10% of normal run timing so it is too early to make any predictions.
• Hatchery king salmon are just starting to show up in the near shore waters of Kalsin Bay and likely other areas. A few kings have been caught in the American and Olds rivers, but fishing is slow right now. These runs can start as late as July 4, but it appears the returns are weaker than expected.
• Poor returns are expected for Monashka Creek again this year and Monashka Creek and Bay are closed to king salmon fishing to aid in collection of broodstock for enhancement of road system king salmon runs. In addition, in Monashka Creek, bait may not be used, and only single hooks are allowed.
• The freshwaters of Pillar Creek will be open to king salmon fishing, but the immediately adjacent saltwater’s are closed.
• Weir counts are posted daily on the ADF&G Fish Count webpage.

Trout, Dolly Varden

• Dolly fishing off local beaches can be good in June as they school near shore to feed before heading back to freshwaters in late summer. Popular beaches are Mission Beach, Pillar Creek, and Buskin Beach.
• Dollies are starting their return to freshwaters right now and anglers should look to the intertidal areas for these fish to start with.
• Some anglers have reported good Dolly fishing in Salonie Creek so far.
• This is an excellent time to fish our stocked lakes as rainbows are becoming more active as waters warm up and they begin to feed more actively. Visit lower elevation lakes first as fish will be more active in warmer waters.
  • Although ADF&G currently stocks only sterile juvenile trout, some lakes with a stocking history dating to the 1950s may also contain spawning populations of adult fish. Be sure to check the local sport fishing regulations for a current list of stocked lakes as harvest of rainbow trout is only allowed in lakes that are currently stocked.

Saltwater Fishing

Halibut

• Halibut fishing has been good from most reports, though weather has limited harvests. Many anglers have reported finding halibut up to 200 feet of water in Chiniak Bay, near Woody and Long islands and southern Afognak Island.

Salmon

• King salmon fishing has been reported to be good at times, though inconsistent. Look to spots King salmon fishing has been reported to be good in the last week when weather has cooperated. Lots of fish have been caught between Buoys 3 and 4 recently.
• Other popular spots to fish kings are the capes Chiniak and Grevel, Ugak Island, as well as in between Woody and Long islands. Though king fishing in Ugak Bay has been reported to be slow.
• Coho salmon should be schooling in saltwaters near town soon. The usual spots are Buoy 4 out to Williams Reef, Chiniak, and between Woody and Long islands.

Other Saltwater Fishing

• Black rockfish can be caught just out of the boat harbor near kelp beds along rock pinnacles and other natural or man-made structures. Rockfish are also frequently caught from shore at locations such as the outer reaches of White Sand beach and the breakwater barrier shielding St. Paul Harbor. Remember to check the current regulations for the area you intend to fish. Bag limits for rockfish have been reduced to 3 per day for pelagic rockfish in Chiniak and Marmot Bays.
• Anglers are reminded that the lingcod season does not open until July 1.