Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 05, 2023

Freshwater Fishing

• Buskin sockeye weir counts are still way behind and reopening the sport fishery is unlikely at this point.
• Litnik sockeye counts have slowed some but there are still decent numbers of fish moving in. Fishing typically is good until the pinks show up in large numbers later in July.
• Fishing at Pasagshak is good by most accounts, with decent schools of fish being seen with each incoming tide. Weir counts are little behind average.
• Saltery weir sockeye counts are little behind average but fishing in the river is good by most reports, with many folks catching easy limits in the last week.
• A few kings have been sighted at the Olds River but most expectations are for a poor return for hatchery kings this season. ADF&G staff will be out on the rivers collecting brood stock beginning next week.
• Dollies are being caught off local beaches with Mission Beach being the popular spot so far. The mouth of the Buskin and Chiniak beaches are great spots too.

Saltwater Fishing

• King salmon fishing was good on the days the weather allowed for it. Most reports of good fishing has come from the Fingers but a few fish are being picked up in between Woody and Long islands and in Kalsin Bay.
• Halibut fishing has picked up and many folks are again catching them trolling for kings. Kodiak Rocks and Williams Reef have been recent hot spots.
• Cod continue to be abundant and found throughout Chiniak Bay.
• Rockfish are also in all the usual places with reports of large black and dusky rockfish being caught off the Fingers reefs.
• Lingcod season opened Saturday but no reports of any catches have come in yet.

Local Lakes

East Twin lake at Fossil Beach has long been the location that anglers report catching the largest rainbows on the road system. If you’re up for a drive, it’s an excellent spot to fish but also a great place to spot whales and enjoy the beach. The road past the Kodiak Launch Complex that goes down to the beach is pretty rugged and 4-wheel drive is recommended.

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-4-26-23 closed the Buskin River drainage to fishing for sockeye salmon through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 31, 2023.
• Emergency Order 2-RF-4-17-23 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. This emergency order is in effect through 11:59 pm. Sunday, December 31, 2023.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-4-19-23 closed the Karluk River drainage (including the lagoon and its outlet stream) and the Ayakulik River drainage to king salmon fishing and restricted fishing gear to only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 31, 2023.

Don’t forget to purchase your 2023 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2023 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, advisory announcements, and the 2023 Southwest Alaska 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.