Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 06, 2022

Freshwater Fishing

• Counts at the Buskin Weir picked up slightly over the weekend and a few fish were caught in the river and in nets, but it is still very slow by all accounts. Counts are well behind average at this point and few fish seem to be holding in the river.
• Counts have picked up slightly at Litnik as well, but more fish seem to be building in the lagoon and bay. Both sport and subsistence catches picked up in the last week with sport fishing in the lagoon being average over the weekend.
• Dolly Varden is still being caught in Buskin Lake and River, but also is being seen in near-shore saltwaters. Mission Beach has been a recent hot spot for fishing Dollies.

Saltwater Fishing

• King salmon fishing was slow for most of last week and then seems to have picked back up again this weekend with several boats indicating catches of 25-30lb kings. The hot spots at the moment seem to be Kalsin Bay and between Woody and Long islands. Buoy 4 has been slow by most accounts.
• Halibut fishing sounds slow at the moment with fish being caught but many anglers indicated catching few if any, halibut on most trips in the last week.
• Rockfish are being caught in most areas of Chiniak Bay still, with many of the favorite spots being near Chiniak, behind Long Island and Kodiak Rocks.
  • The use of a deepwater release mechanism is required on all sportfishing vessels in Alaska, and they must be used to release rockfish back down to a depth of capture or 100 feet, whichever is shallower. Ever heard of the deepwater release? Check out our webpage 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

• Most stocked lakes seem to be warming up quickly with the recently warm weather. Rainbow fishing in Dolgoi Lake on Long Island was great over the weekend and the lakes on Woody Island, Long, and Tanignak, should be excellent as well.

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! You can 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.