Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak
Archived Sport Fishing Report
August 23, 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
- Coho salmon are starting to show up around the road system and Afognak. Seems to be a late start, but with a little more water in the creeks this year, they are on the move at least.
- There are some coho salmon being caught on the Road System at Buskin, Pasagshak, and Olds. There are lots of pinks around so patience is the key as you will have to search for them in the midst of the pinks.
- Coho salmon runs on Afognak seem to have just started picking up in the last 10 days, which is a little later than normal. They will likely be hitting their peak run timing soon, however.
- There is a lot of bright pink salmon around still and they can readily be caught at Buskin, Olds, Roslyn, and even off the beach at Pillar, White Sands, Mill Bay, and Mayflower beaches.
- Dolly Varden are in thick in most local rivers and can be found just behind or underneath the schools of pink salmon. Fly fishing is often a great way to target Dollies while avoiding pinks.
Saltwater Fishing
- King salmon hot spots seem to be moving around in the last 7-10 days; however, kings are being caught at Buoys 3 and 4, near Inner Humpback Rock, and between Woody and Long islands in general. Some have also been caught around Spruce Island at North Cape and East Cape and off the rock pinnacles behind Long Island. The effort seems to have dropped off considerably at the Woody dock and the can off Spruce Cape.
- Coho salmon aren’t being found in large schools like the last several years but are being caught trolling between Woody and Long islands, some at Buoy 4 but also out at Chiniak. There are schools reported in Mill Bay, Mission Beach, and Monashka Bay as well but no reports of catches yet.
- Halibut fishing continues to be good with most reports indicating fish are in fairly shallow water and the best fishing found between 70-90 feet.
Local Lakes
- Many anglers don’t realize that we stock a lake on the Coast Guard Base in addition to the many other lakes along the Kodiak Road System. Known as Nyman’s Pond or Lilly Pond, it is a small lake that offers surprisingly good fishing. It can be fished from shore or from a boat and is a great lake to take kids fishing in.
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.