Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 21, 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

• Sockeye salmon continue to slowly trickle into Buskin and Litnik and runs are not projected to meet escapement goals. Both rivers are closed for both sport and subsistence fishing. The count at Buskin is just over 500 fish and about 7,000 fish for Litnik.
• The Karluk and Ayakulik weirs are counting sockeye and king salmon, and while sockeye salmon runs are on track to meet escapement goals, they are not particularly strong this year. The king salmon count at Karluk is about 1,200 fish and is on track to just make the escapement goal, while the Ayakulik has counted about 1,000 and is lagging behind slightly.
• A few sockeye salmon have been counted at Pasagshak and Saltery, but these runs are just beginning and it is too early to make any predictions. Look for these runs to peak in mid-July.
• Hatchery king salmon are just starting to show up near the shore waters of Kalsin Bay and likely other areas. A few king salmon have been caught off of Kalsin Beach and in shallow waters near the Olds River and the American River. Look for king salmon to show up in these rivers and in Salonie any day now.
• Poor returns are expected for Monashka Creek again this year and Monashka Creek and Bay are closed to king salmon fishing to aid in collection of broodstock 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 saltwater’s are closed.
• Weir counts are posted daily on the ADF&G Fish Count webpage.

Trout, Dolly Varden

• 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.
• Dollies will be returning to freshwaters to feed and spawn in the coming week or two. Look to the lower parts of Buskin, Russian, Salonie, American and Olds for great dolly fishing very soon.
• 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. Be sure to check the local sport fishing regulations 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 been good from most reports, though the weather has not cooperated in the last week. Many anglers have reported finding halibut up to 200 feet of water in Chiniak Bay, near Woody and Long islands and southern Afognak Island.

Salmon

• King salmon fishing has been reported to be good at times, though inconsistent. Look to spots near Buoy’s 3 and 4 and off of Long Island. Anglers report lots of bait fish and whales in Chiniak and Marmot bays.
• Other popular spots to fish kings are the capes Chiniak and Grevel, Ugak Island, as well as in between Woody and Long islands.
• Saltwater trolling typically picks up at the end of June when waters begin to warm and coho salmon move in closer to shore to feed. Coho and king salmon fishing is typically excellent from late June through early August.

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.