Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 01, 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

• Sockeye salmon fishing is off to a pretty slow start. Counts are just starting at most of the weirs around the Island, and most runs seem about a week or so late. Buskin hasn’t seen any fish past the weir but there are fish in the river, but fishing seems slow so far. Litnik has a few hundred fish past the weir and may be a better bet for sockeye fishing but is also off to a slow start.

Saltwater Fishing

• There haven’t been too many reports of king salmon caught lately, but fish are still being caught at Buoy 4 and the Fingers. Just after the tide changes seems to be the best time. There haven’t been any reports lately of fish caught in Kalsin Bay or other usual spring king salmon spots.
• Halibut are being caught regularly now and is starting to show up more regularly in shallower water. A few fish have been caught between Woody and Long Island, but many anglers are going to Whale Pass right now.
• Pacific Cod is pretty much everywhere. They are being caught just outside the channel, at Buoy 4, between Woody and Long islands, and at all of the offshore reefs. Bigger fish are definitely more common at places like Kalsin Reef, Triple Lumps, and Kodiak Rocks.
• Many anglers are reporting catching a lot of lingcod this season already, remember that lingcod season opens on July 1!
• Don’t forget about saltwater Dolly Varden fishing right now. Dollies typically stick near the shoreline as they feed before heading back to freshwater and right now is a great time to fish dollies from beaches near town. Hot spots right now are Mission Beach and the mouth of the Buskin River.

Local Lakes

• Spawning season for rainbows is likely over by now, and fish will be very hungry as they try to restock their energy reserves this summer. Nearly any bright lure or fly with some action to it will be great for rainbows right now. Small, orange Vibrax’s are usually a good bet throughout the summer in local lakes. A great lake to fish right now is Twin Lakes at Fossil Beach. You can fish for rainbows and watch whales, bison, deer, and other wildlife at the same time.

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