Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kuskokwim

August 3, 2023

Sport Fishing

Kuskokwim River tributaries

Salmon

• Sport fishing for king and chum salmon is closed throughout the entire Kuskokwim-Goodnews Management area due to a below-average king and chum runs in the Kuskokwim River drainage. Sport fishing for other species remains open.
• Anglers may use only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure in the entire Kuskokwim–Goodnews Area.
• Coho salmon fishing in the lower tributaries of the Kuskokwim River should be very good in early August, and then taper off as the month progresses. Fishing for coho salmon in the middle river is usually still good in late August. Early coho counts remain promising, and much better than 2022 numbers, which were poor and resulted in a closure of the sport fishery.

Resident species

• Northern pike fishing should remain quite good if warm temperatures and lower water conditions prevail. Anglers will find northern pike in shallow, weedy waters that are adjacent to cooler deeper waters. August can be a very wet month though, and often many good northern pike fishing areas are washed out. So far, late July and early August have had remarkably good weather.
• As in June and July, sheefish, Dolly Varden, rainbow trout, burbot and Arctic grayling can be found throughout the Kuskokwim River drainage. Sheefish and burbot are often found at river mouths. Burbot may be taken on setline gear. Rainbow trout fishing is generally very good in August in the lower Kuskokwim tributaries: the Kwethluk, Kisaralik/ Kasigluk, and Aniak rivers. These rivers are prone to getting washed out in high rain events so plan accordingly.

Kuskokwim Bay tributaries

Salmon

• Sport fishing for chum salmon is closed through the entire Kuskokwim-Goodnews Management area due to below-average chum runs. Sport fishing for king salmon closed by regulation on July 26^th. Sport fishing for other species remains open.
• Anglers may use only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure in the entire Kuskokwim–Goodnews Area.
• Coho salmon fishing in the Kuskokwim Bay tributaries should be very good in early August, and then taper off as the month progresses, especially if there are high water events. Fishing for coho salmon in the Kuskokwim Bay rivers (Kanektok, Goodnews and Arolik) is usually still good in late August. Sockeye fishing will be largely over.

Resident species

• As in June and July, Dolly Varden, rainbow trout, and Arctic grayling can be found throughout the Kuskokwim Bay drainages. Rainbow trout fishing is generally very good in August in the Kuskokwim Bay tributaries of the Kanektok, Arolik, and Goodnews Rivers. Like many local rivers, these rivers are prone to getting washed out in high rain events so plan accordingly.

Emergency Orders

Please review the Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip:

• Emergency Order 3-KS-V-01-23 closes the Kuskokwim River drainage to sport fishing for king salmon.
• Emergency Order 3-CS-V-02-23 closes the Kuskokwim-Goodnews Area to sport fishing for chum salmon.

ADF&G News

• Download the ADF&G Mobile App today. You can purchase and display your fishing license and king stamp, record your annual harvest (i.e. king salmon, halibut), access sport fishing regulations and locations, and so much more on your mobile device. You can also purchase your license and dipnetting permits at the ADF&G online store.
• You may also purchase your sport fishing license at the ADF&G Online Store and print it off from home. Also, be sure to review Emergency Orders and the 2023 Northern Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.

For more information, please call the Kuskokwim Goodnews Area Manager John Chythlook at (907) 459-7361.