Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 18, 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 have mostly left the rivers it looks like at this point, but fishing near stream mouths and local beaches has been great by most angler accounts.
• There are still a few steelhead and rainbow trout moving around as well; however, many will be spawning, so if possible, be aware of fish on redds and try to avoid them!
• There haven't been any reports of sockeye salmon being caught in Buskin or Litnik yet, but likely some will be some caught any day now. The Buskin and Litnik weirs are in but have not counted any fish yet.

Saltwater Fishing

• King salmon fishing has been good at Buoy 4 when the weather cooperates. Other popular spring king salmon spots are Kalsin and Danger bays, with a few fish reported caught in each of these areas, but nothing super-hot as of yet.
• Halibut are being caught regularly now, but many anglers are still fishing deeper than 200 feet. Kalsin Reef, Whale Pass, and Chiniak are the usual late-spring spots but some are being caught at Buoy 4 while trolling for kings too.
• Pacific cod are being caught frequently right now in many of the same spots as halibut, but also while trolling in Kalsin Bay and near Buoy 4. Fish up to 15 lbs. are being reported with many anglers having little trouble finding cod this season.
• Many anglers are reporting catching a lot of lingcod this season already, remember that lingcod season opens on July 1!

Local Lakes

• The end of May is a great time to make the first trip up to Heitman Lake. The grass is still short and vegetation bare making for easy walking and the lake is just starting to warm up and should make fish pretty active and ready to bite.

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

    Non-Resident

    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 for before you head out.

For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Kodiak Area Office at (907) 486-1880.