Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 02, 2022

Freshwater Fishing

• Dolly Varden is starting to be caught in Buskin Lake and likely will be found in some of the larger holding areas in Buskin River soon too.
• Steelhead and rainbow trout are starting to get more active too, with Buskin being the most popular spot. As the water warms up, they will head towards spawning areas in the river, but most reports are still from Buskin Lake.
• 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 has been hampered by the weather mostly, but some reports of good fishing have been heard from the few calm days lately. Most anglers report catching fish in the 12-15 lb. range with the hot spots being Buoy 4 and in between Woody and Long. Kalsin Bay and in front of Woody Island are often go-to spots in the spring for kings as well, with some of the largest fish of the year coming from these areas in May and June.
• Halibut are showing up when folks are able to get out with Buoy 4 and Kalsin Reef being the latest spots to produce fish. Most reports indicate catching smaller fish right now in the 15-30 lb. range.
• Cod are prevalent right now as well with nearly all areas of Chiniak Bay producing easy catches of Pacific Cod. Fish are being found anywhere from 30-40 ft. deep to 150+ ft. with fish ranging from just a couple pounds to over 10 lbs.
• 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. Please refer to the emergency orders below for more info.
• Don’t forget that lingcod season doesn’t open until July 1! Most anglers report catching lots of smaller lingcod, so plan ahead to release them unharmed.

Local Lakes

• Rainbow trout fishing typically picks up in early May as waters warm in our stocked lakes. Look to lower elevation lakes such as Abercrombie, Lilly, East Twin, Dragonfly, and Horseshoe to be most productive right now.

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-RF-4-16-22 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. This emergency order is in effect through 11:59 pm. Saturday, December 31, 2022.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-4-15-22 closed the Ayakulik River drainage to king salmon fishing and restricted fishing gear to only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure through 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 25, 2022.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-4-14-22 closed the Karluk River drainage including the lagoon and its outlet stream to king salmon fishing and restricted fishing gear to only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure through 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 25, 2022.

Don’t forget to purchase your 2022 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2022 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, advisory announcements, and the 2022 Southwest Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing in before you head out.

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