Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak
Archived Sport Fishing Report
August 02, 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
- Pasagshak and Saltery sockeye salmon runs continue to offer great fishing and many anglers are taking advantage of the 10 fish bag limit at Saltery in particular. See the emergency order below for more info. Pinks are showing up at both rivers, however, they are making fishing for sockeyes difficult in some places.
- The king salmon runs on the Road System, never really panned out again for the 4th year in a row. ADF&G is collecting what few kings there are for one final week for an egg take scheduled for later this month. These runs are essentially over by now, however.
- Pink salmon are in the Buskin and several others roadside rivers and are very bright still. As we turn the corner to August, many fish will start turning towards their spawning colors and as such will not be as good eating or fighting as they are now. Look for the best fishing as the tide comes in or off the beaches near river mouths.
- August is also a great time to find Dolly Varden as they re-enter freshwater drainages following salmon. A few can still be found in nearby saltwaters but rivers that offer consistently good Dolly fishing are Salonie, American, and Buskin.
Saltwater Fishing
- King salmon fishing is still hot with the latest spots being in front of the old dock at Woody Island, near the ‘can’ just off Spruce Cape, and in between Woody and Long islands near Inner Humpback Rock. Most reports are still of fish in the 10-20lb. range but several fish up to and over 30lbs. have been caught recently.
- Coho salmon are a little tougher to come by this season but are being caught between the islands and at Buoys 3 and 4. Reports of schooling cohos in Monashka Bay are coming in now too.
- Halibut fishing continues to be good as well and fish seem relatively easy to find. The most consistent spots are Williams Reef and Kodiak Rocks, Buoy 4 area, and between Woody and Long islands. Many anglers are reporting catching them trolling in many locations as well.
- Lingcod are still abundant at most rockpiles in Chiniak Bay and anglers are reporting lots of small lingcod in the 3-7lb. range but are able to pick through them to find larger fish.
Local Lakes
- August usually offers the warmest water temperatures of the season, so it’s a great time to fish the lakes at the highest elevation. These are Heitman and Bull lakes, and both have been reported as great rainbow fishing this season.
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-RS-4-50-21 increases the bag limit for sockeye salmon in the Saltery River to 10 through Friday, December 31, 2021.
- Emergency Order 2-RS-4-27-21 increases the bag limit in the South Olga Lakes drainage (Upper Station) for sockeye salmon to 10 through Friday, December 31, 2021.
- Emergency Order 2-RS-4-26-21 increases the bag limit for sockeye salmon in the Ayakulik River to 10 through Friday, December 31, 2021.
- Emergency Order 2-RS-4-19-21 closed the Buskin River drainage to sockeye salmon fishing through Friday, December 31, 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 in before you head out.
For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Kodiak Area Office at (907) 486-1880.