Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak
Archived Sport Fishing Report
September 21, 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
- Cohos are continuing to come into most local rivers and most runs seem strong this year. The largest runs so far have been Monashka and Pillar creeks, and Olds and Pasagshak rivers.
- Coho runs should be at their peak about now, but some places are still running late with the low water conditions so far. With rain in the forecast all week, its likely other runs such as Buskin and Roslyn will pick up this week.
- Remember that the bag limit for coho salmon is now one per day in all road system rivers except at Pasagshak, American, Olds, Pillar, Monashka, Mill Bay, and Mission Beach. (See Emergency Order 2-SS-4-54-20)
Saltwater Fishing
- There are a few coho salmon around in the saltwater, but the best fishing will likely be near creeks and inside bays as these fish wait to head into freshwater. Monashka Bay is likely a good bet for saltwater coho salmon right now.
- King fishing has still been good at Buoy 3 by most reports, not many other hot spots have been reported.
- Halibut fishing has slowed some in the usual spots, but its likely fish have moved into shallower water near rivers with large pink salmon runs. Fishing can be good in September near the Buskin and in Monashka Bay.
Local Lakes
- For some ‘in-town’ fishing there are a number of easily accessible lakes, check out Abercrombie (also called Gertrude) in Ft. Abercrombie State Park or Lilly Lake right in town for some great rainbow fishing in two lakes that are known for producing fish well over 20 inches.
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.