Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak
Archived Sport Fishing Report
July 27, 2020
* Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing the current State of Alaska Health Mandates in effect. This includes practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing and wearing a face covering when fishing and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.
* The Alaska Board of Fisheries adopted several proposals establishing new sport fish regulations for Kodiak Island, Alaska Peninsula, and Aleutian Islands at the Kodiak January 2020 meeting and the Anchorage March 2020 meeting. Please see the 2020 Southwest Sport Fishing Regulation Summary booklet for a complete summary of the Kodiak and Aleutian Islands sport fisheries regulations.
Emergency Orders
Please review the Emergency Orders and News Releases below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.
- New! Emergency Order 2-RS-4-40-20 reduced the sockeye salmon bag and possession limit at Saltery Cove to two fish effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 25 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2020.
- Emergency Order 2-KS-4-38-20 closed sport fishing for king salmon in the Chignik River drainage downstream to Mensis Point, effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 18 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, August 9, 2020. This closure prohibits sport fishing for king salmon including catch-and-release. The use of bait is prohibited and only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure may be used.
Freshwater Fishing
- Pasagshak has seen a decent amount of fish show up recently with weir counts picking up and reports of build ups of sockeye in the bay and river.
- Saltery is still slow with the water being very low. The bag limit has been reduced to two per day to reduce harvest until fish start moving again. (See Emergency Order 2-RS-4-40-20)
- Pinks are showing up in most roadside drainages with the lower parts of Buskin, Olds, and Russian creek being great spots. The beaches near Myrtle Creek and most of the rivers in Chiniak are also great spots for bright pinks.
- Stocked king runs are pretty much over without many fish showing up, ADF&G is still collecting brood stock with the few fish that are around.
Saltwater Fishing
- Coho fishing in the saltwater has been as good as ever since last week. Hot spots are the Fingers, Chiniak, and Ugak islands but they can be caught nearly anywhere at this point.
- King fishing has been a little slower but likely only because of the number of cohos around. Look to more ‘offshore’ places such as Cape Chiniak, Cape Greville, and Ugak Island for more consistent king fishing.
- Halibut fishing has been great as well with lots of fish in the 40-80 lb. range. Kodiak Rocks and Chiniak continue to be hot spots.
- Lingcod fishing has been excellent, though many small fish have been caught recently near Buoy 4. For larger fish look to places like Williams Reef, Kalsin Reef, and Triple Lumps.
Local Lakes
- Late summer is an awesome time to fish the lakes in Bells Flats – Aurel, Caroline, Cicely, and Lee lakes. Caroline and Cicely lakes have some good spots for wading or fishing from the bank, while Aurel and Lee lakes are often best fished from a boat or float tube.
Don’t forget to bring your 2020 sport fishing license! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2020 sport fishing license through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home. Also, make sure to review Emergency Orders and the 2020 Southwest Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.
For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Kodiak Area Office at (907) 486-1880.