Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 11, 2022

ADF&G News

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Freshwater Fishing

Sockeye salmon

Sockeye Salmon runs at Buskin and Litnik are winding down now, but there are still some fish around. With the rain this weekend, fishing should remain decent for a few days, but water levels will drop and the number of fish entering the rivers will slow down soon.

Pasagshak

Fishing at Pasagshak sounds slow for the most part with decent catches at times. The recent rain ought to help as the river was very warm and had very low water. Early morning and late evening seem to be the best bets.

Saltery

Fishing at Saltery has been really good, even despite the lower than average weir counts. With the rain and bump of fish in the river this weekend, fishing should be even better this week. Remember, the bag limit is still five per day for sockeye salmon until changed by emergency order if that happens this season.

Road System

There were some kings showing up around the road system this weekend but returns continue to be very poor. ADF&G will be out on the Olds and Salonie collecting kings for brood stock most days for the rest of July.

Dolly Varden

Dollies are thick this year and are being found nearly everywhere. There is an exceptional Dolly Varden run in the Buskin but also most beaches on the road system have excellent Dolly fishing right now.

Saltwater Fishing

King Salmon

King salmon fishing has been good when the weather has been cooperative. Most anglers indicate only getting out once or twice in the last week but still catching kings mostly between Woody and Long islands and near Kodiak Rocks.

Coho Salmon

Coho salmon are showing up at Buoy 4 and off the fingers. With the weather being poor in the last week, not many trips were reported but most indications are that cohos are there when the weather allows the fishing.

Halibut

Halibut fishing was also good in the last week when the weather cooperated. No particular hot spots have been indicated but the usual spots are Buoy 4, Kodiak Rocks, Triple Lumps, Chiniak, behind Long Island.

Lingcod

There were some large lingcod caught in the last week too, with a few fish over 30 lbs. seen. Most anglers are saying they are finding lingcod nearly everywhere as well with Kodiak Rocks and Williams Reef being popular spots.

Rockfish

Rockfish are being caught in most areas of Chiniak Bay and beyond. See the emergency order below for more info for nonresident limits.

• Check your 2022 Southwest Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for species identification information.
• 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.

Local Lakes

Buskin Lake

Buskin Lake has been a hot spot for both rainbow and Dolly fishing as of late. Most effort has focused near the lake outlet above the closed waters signs, but the beach near the golf course can be really productive too. Just remember it is catch-and-release only for rainbows, where the limit for Dollies is 10 fish per day.

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-RS-4-42-22 reopens the Buskin River drainage for sockeye salmon fishing effective through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, December 31, 2022.
• 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.