Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 06, 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

  • There are still very few sockeye salmon counted at the Buskin or Litnik weirs, though a few more fish have showed up in recent days. There are reports of a handful in the river but the runs are starting slow.
  • The Karluk, Ayakulik, and Dog Salmon weirs are in as well and counting sockeye salmon, though all appear to be similar to Buskin and off to a slow start, though some fish have showed up in recent days.
  • 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. There are also just a handful of kings at Ayakulik so far, though here too it is early in the run.
  • 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 have pretty well left the freshwaters for the ocean at this point. Dolly fishing off local beaches can be good in June as they school near shore to feed before heading back to freshwaters in late summer. Popular beaches are Mission Beach, Pillar Creek, and Buskin Beach.

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

  • Halibut fishing has picked up in the last week and several reports of good halibut fishing have come in over the weekend. Several fish over 100 pounds were landed as well. Early in the season always look to deeper waters for halibut.

Salmon

  • King salmon fishing has been reported to be good near Buoy’s 3 and 4 and off of Long Island. Anglers report lots of bait fish and whales in Chiniak Bay.
  • Other popular spots to fish kings are the capes Chiniak and Grevel, Ugak Island, as well as, 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.
  • Anglers are reminded that the lingcod season does not open until July 1.

Archives

Kodiak Area Archives for:
Sep 05, 2018 Aug 29, 2018 Aug 23, 2018 Aug 16, 2018 Aug 08, 2018 Aug 02, 2018 Jul 26, 2018 Jul 20, 2018
Jul 12, 2018 Jul 05, 2018 Jun 28, 2018 Jun 21, 2018 Jun 06, 2018 May 30, 2018 May 25, 2018 May 18, 2018
May 11, 2018 Apr 26, 2018