Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak
Archived Sport Fishing Report
September 14, 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-SS-4-54-20 increases the coho salmon bag limit to two fish per day and in possession at the Pasagshak, Olds, and American river drainages effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, September 16, 2020, through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2020.
- Emergency Order 2-RS-4-49-20 reopens sport fishing for sockeye salmon in the Saltery River drainage effective through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2020.
Freshwater Fishing
- Strong coho runs have been observed in Monashka and Pillar creeks, Mill Bay, the Olds, American, Pasagshak, and Salonie rivers.
- Coho runs typically peak in mid-September, though a few are still lagging behind due to low water and warm temperatures, such as Buskin and Russian rivers.
- The bag limit for road zone coho salmon changes from two to one per day by regulation on September 16 annually; however, strong returns to Pasagshak, Olds, and American observed by recent surveys by ADF&G staff have led to an emergency order keeping the bag limit at two for these three drainages only. (See Emergency Order 2-SS-4-54-20)
Saltwater Fishing
- Coho are still being caught in saltwater at Buoy 4 and 3 but not in the same numbers as earlier this summer. Most fish will be headed back to freshwater soon though trolling has been productive through the end of September the last several years.
- King fishing was good at Buoy 3 this last week and some were being caught at Ugak Island too. It still sounds like its unpredictable but hot spots are popping up from time to time.
- Halibut fishing has slowed some in the usual spots; however, many halibut have likely moved inshore near the mouths of the rivers with large pink salmon runs such as the Buskin, Monashka, and Pillar creeks and the Olds.
- Lingcod fishing has still been spectacular with fish being caught on nearly every rockpile and structure in the Chiniak Bay area. The usual spots are Kodiak Rocks and Williams and Kalsin reefs.
Local Lakes
- If you’re interested in catching some ‘unstocked’ rainbows, Buskin Lake can offer incredible fishing in the late-season. Fishing near the outlet and along the eastern shore is often most productive but rainbows occasionally school near the tributary streams that sockeye use for spawning in the upper end of the lake too. Remember, harvest of rainbows is only allowed for stocked lakes so its catch-and-release only in Buskin. And grab a few crayfish to eat while you are at it!
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.