Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak

Archived Sport Fishing Report

September 13, 2021

Freshwater Fishing

• With the recent rain, silver fishing has picked up considerably and most rivers on the Road System are seeing great numbers of fish and good fishing.
• Buskin is having a great silver run so far, which is a welcome surprise after several years of low returns. Most effort has been near the mouth but fish are being found throughout the river and into the lake.
• Silvers showed up at Pillar Creek this weekend and fishing was good at the mouth and in the river. No new reports about Monashka Creek but fishing should be equally as good there.
• Dolly Varden fishing has been really good and there are large concentrations in a few spots. Buskin Lake near the outlet is a hot spot for dollies right now.

Saltwater Fishing

• There has not been a huge amount of effort for king salmon due to the weather recently, but trolling for kings has been most productive in between Woody and Long islands recently, with effort concentrated near Inner Humpback Rock as well as the northern end of Long Island.
• Silvers are still being found in a few spots, notably between Woody and Long islands and in Monashka Bay. With recent rains, saltwater fishing for silvers will likely taper off quickly as fish move into freshwater.
• Halibut fishing continues to be strong with recent reports of quite a few fish over 100 lbs coming in. The most productive fishing has been between 70 and 100ft.
• Lingcod are being caught easily on most rockpiles in Chiniak Bay. The trick has been to get around the rockfish by most reports. Don’t forget your Deepwater Release Device to release any rockfish you are not keeping at depth.

Local Lakes

• Not many new reports of fishing from local lakes, but this time of year is an excellent time to look for rainbows and dollies in Buskin Lake. They are usually up there by now looking for dead eggs that wash out of redds from salmon and can often be found in concentrations near inlet creeks. Egg patterns on a fly rod are generally the go-to right now, but small spinners can also be very productive.

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-4-26-21 increases the bag limit for sockeye salmon in the Ayakulik River to 10 through Friday, December 31, 2021.
  • Emergency Order 2-RS-4-27-21 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-4-19-21 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.