Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 11, 2021

* Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing, and wearing a face-covering when social distancing is not possible, and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store.

Freshwater Fishing

• Dolly Varden are being caught regularly in Buskin Lake as well as in many places throughout the river. Favorite spots include the Beaver Pond and below the lake outlet. Small spinners or leech and alevin flies are a good bet to catch Dolly Varden right now.
• Steelhead and rainbow trout are starting to get more active too with Buskin being the most popular spot. They will be heading towards spawning grounds as the water warms up with pre and post-spawn fish holding in deeper pools of the river and actively spawning fish being found in most riffles and swifter-moving water. Most anglers are using fly fishing gear with beads for steelhead trout right now.
• Remember, in all freshwaters of the Kodiak Road Zone, including the Buskin Drainage, steelhead and rainbow trout are catch-and-release only except in lakes that are currently stocked.

Saltwater Fishing

• King salmon fishing is still steady at Buoy 4 with the weather being the limiting factor. Most anglers report catching fish in the 12-15 lb. range on herring or hoochies trolled behind flashers. Other popular spring king salmon spots are Kalsin and Danger bays, with a few fish reported being caught in each of these areas.
• Halibut are being caught fairly regularly at Buoy 4 while trolling for kings as well as in areas further offshore. Favorite early halibut spots are typically Chiniak, Whale Pass, and Kalsin Reef.
• Rockfish bag limits have been reduced to three pelagic rockfish per day for nonresident anglers for much of the east side of Kodiak Island and Afognak Island. Bag limits for resident anglers remain the same this season, with a total bag limit of five rockfish per day but only three per day inside Chiniak and Marmot bays. Nonpelagic limits remain at two per day with only one being a yelloweye for the whole Island and for all anglers. See emergency order 2-RF-4-11-21 below.

Local Lakes

• Rainbow trout fishing sounds like it is picking up as lakes warm up. Most lakes are completely thawed now, with the lower elevation lakes being warmest. Hot spring fishing is usually found in Twin and the Bells Flats lakes.

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-KS-4-13-21 closed the Karluk River drainage including the lagoon and its outlet stream to king salmon fishing through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 25, 2021.
  • Emergency Order 2-KS-4-12-21 closed the Ayakulik River drainage to king salmon fishing through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 25, 2021.
  • Emergency Order 2-RF-4-11-21 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 through 11:59 pm. Friday, December 31, 2021.

Don't forget to purchase your 2021 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2021 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 and the 2021 Southwest Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing for before you head out.

For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Kodiak Area Office at (907) 486-1880.