Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 03, 2021

* Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing, and wearing a face-covering when social distancing is not possible, and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store.

Freshwater Fishing

• Dolly Varden are just starting to be caught in Buskin Lake and likely will be found in some of the larger holding areas in Buskin River soon too. Small spinners or leech and alevin flies are a good bet to catch Dollies right now.
• Steelhead and rainbow trout are starting to get more active too with Buskin being the most popular spot. As the water warms up they will head towards spawning areas, but most reports are still from Buskin Lake. Most anglers are using fly fishing gear with beads for steelhead trout right now.
• Remember, in all freshwaters of the Kodiak Road Zone, including the Buskin Drainage, steelhead and rainbow trout are catch-and-release only except in lakes that are currently stocked.

Saltwater Fishing

• King salmon fishing has been steady for the last several weeks at Buoy 4 with the weather being the limiting factor. Most anglers report catching fish in the 12-15 lb. range on herring or hoochies trolled behind flashers. Other popular spring king salmon spots are Kalsin and Danger bays.
• Halibut are being caught fairly regularly at Buoy 4 while trolling for kings but most reports of anglers targeting halibut are from areas more than 200 feet deep. Favorite early halibut spots are typically Whale Pass and Kalsin Reef.
• Rockfish bag limits have been reduced to three pelagic rockfish per day for nonresident anglers for much of the east side of Kodiak Island and Afognak Island. See Emergency Order 2-RF-4-11-21 below. Bag limits for resident anglers remain the same this season, with a total bag limit of five rockfish per day but only three per day inside Chiniak and Marmot bays. Nonpelagic limits remain at two per day with only one being a yelloweye for the whole Island and for all anglers.

Local Lakes

• Rainbow trout fishing typically picks up in early May as waters warm in our stocked lakes. Look to lower elevation lakes such as Abercrombie, East Twin, Dragonfly, and Horseshoe to be most productive right now, with small spinners or leech flies being common tackle.

Emergency Orders

• Please review the Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.
  • Emergency Order 2-KS-4-13-21 closed the Karluk River drainage including the lagoon and its outlet stream to king salmon fishing through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 25, 2021.
  • Emergency Order 2-KS-4-12-21 closed the Ayakulik River drainage to king salmon fishing through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 25, 2021.
  • Emergency Order 2-RF-4-11-21 reduced the nonresident rockfish bag and possession limits on the eastside of Afognak and Kodiak islands from Big Fort Island near Shuyak Island to Dangerous Cape on Kodiak Island through 11:59 pm. Friday, December 31, 2021.

Don't forget to purchase your 2021 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2021 sport fishing license and king stamp 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 2021 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.