Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 30, 2018

Regulation Reminders and Emergency Orders

Regulation Reminders

• Anglers are reminded to review Emergency Orders and News Releases for the Kodiak Area before heading out on their next fishing trip.
  • Per Emergency Order No. 2-KS-4-06-18, effective June 1, 2018, in the Ayakulik River drainage, king salmon fishing is restricted to catch and release. All king salmon caught must be released without being removed from the water. In addition, the use of bait is prohibited and only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lures may be used.
  • Per Emergency Order No. 2-KS-4-07-18, effective June 1, 2018, in the Karluk River drainage, including Karluk Lagoon, fishing for king salmon is closed. In addition, the use of bait is prohibited for all fishing downstream of Karluk Lake.
  • Per Emergency Order No. 2-KS-4-08-18, effective June 1, 2018, Monashka Creek and Bay are closed to king salmon fishing. In addition, the use of bait is prohibited in Monashka Creek.
• Anglers are reminded there are new rockfish regulations for the Kodiak Area.
  • The bag and possession limits for rockfish in Chiniak and Marmot Bays has been reduced to 3 per day, 6 in possession, only 2 per day, 4 in possession may be non-pelagic, and only 1 per day, 2 in possession may be a Yelloweye. Please review the 2018 Southwest Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for a detailed map of the affected area.

Freshwater Fishing

Salmon

• The Buskin River weir is in; however, only a few fish have been counted. There are reports of a handful in the river, but the season looks to be off to a slow start.
• The Karluk, Ayakulik, Litnik, and Dog Salmon weirs are in as well and counting sockeye; however, the season appears to be similar to Buskin and is off to a slow start.
• In anticipation of relatively poor returns in 2018, sport fishing for king salmon in the Karluk River drainage, including Karluk Lagoon, will be closed. In addition, the use of bait for all sport fishing is prohibited downstream of Karluk Lake and single hooks must be used.
• Poor king salmon run returns are also expected this year for the Ayakulik River. Consequently, king salmon sport fishing is restricted to catch and release only. Bait is not allowed for any sport fishing during this time and only single hook, artificial lures may be used.
• In recent years, returns of stocked king salmon have been poor to Monashka Creek; however, returns have been excellent at the American and Olds Rivers. Poor returns are expected again this year; therefore, Monashka Creek and Bay are subsequently closed to king salmon fishing to aid in collection of brood stock for enhancement of road system king salmon runs. In addition, in Monashka Creek, bait may not be used, and only single hooks are allowed.
• The freshwaters of Pillar Creek will be open to king salmon fishing, but the immediately adjacent saltwaters are closed.
• King salmon should be returning to the American, Olds, and Salonie in good numbers, but look for these runs to start in mid-June.

Trout, Dolly Varden

• Dolly Varden are leaving freshwaters and headed to the ocean for the summer. Recent fishing success has been reported in Buskin Lake and Buskin River; however, this will be tapering off in the next 7-10 days. Look for areas where salmon fry congregate as dollies often feed on salmon fry as they make their way back to the ocean for the summer.
• Other popular spots on the Buskin include the Beaver Pond and near the upper weir site.

Lake Fishing

• This is an excellent time to fish our stocked lakes as rainbows are becoming more active as waters warm up and they begin to feed more actively. Visit lower elevation lakes first as fish will be more active in warmer waters.
• Although ADF&G currently stocks only sterile juvenile trout, some lakes with a stocking history dating to the 1950s may also contain spawning populations of adult fish. Review the 2018 Southwest Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for a current list of stocked lakes as harvest of rainbow trout is only allowed in lakes that are currently stocked.

Saltwater Fishing

Halibut

• Few reports of anglers catching halibut have come in so far. Anglers should try fishing deeper waters in the 200-300 feet range or more for halibut this time of year.

Salmon

• King salmon fishing has been reported to be good in the vicinity of Chiniak recently when the weather has allowed. Recent success has been reported near Buoy’s 3 and 4 and off of Long Island.
• Other popular spots to fish kings in early in the summer are Kalsin, Sharatin, and Kizhuyak Bays and in between Woody and Long Islands.

Other Saltwater Fishing

• Black rockfish can be caught just out of the boat harbor near kelp beds along rock pinnacles and other natural or man-made structures. Rockfish are also frequently caught from shore at locations such as the outer reaches of White Sand beach and the breakwater barrier shielding St. Paul Harbor. Remember to check the current regulations for the area you intend to fish. Bag limits for rockfish have been reduced to 3 per day for pelagic rockfish in Chiniak and Marmot Bays.
• Use deepwater release methods to release incidentally caught rockfish! Never heard of deepwater release for rockfish? For details, review the ADF&G Rockfish Conservation and Deepwater Release webpage.
• Anglers are reminded that the lingcod season does not open until July 1.