Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 05, 2023

Freshwater Fishing

• Sockeye are still showing up slowly so far at the Buskin with 21 counted at the weir. They are starting to build in the river behind the weir and at the Pumphouse Hole. Fishing has been slow in the river.
• Litnik is off to a similar start as Buskin with a little over 400 counted through the weir. Fishing sounds slow both in the sport fishery and the subsistence fishery.
• Not many reports of dolly fishing have come in but most should be on their way out to the ocean by now. June is typically the best time to catch them from local beaches with Mission Beach being a local favorite.
• Nearly all steelhead will be post-spawn by now and headed towards the ocean and there likely won’t be many around until fall.
• Rainbows will still be around the Buskin but fishing seems to have tapered off and is typically slower until they start following spawning salmon in the drainage later in the summer.

Saltwater Fishing

• King salmon fishing was excellent in the last week. Most effort has been at Buoy 4, the Fingers or in between Woody and Long Islands.
• Halibut fishing continues to be good with fish anywhere from 15-90 lbs being caught. There has not been a particular hot spot yet but most effort is within the Chiniak Bay area.
• Cod continue to be abundant in almost all areas of Chiniak Bay with a lot of effort between Woody and Long Islands or on the back side of Long Island.
• Don’t forget that lingcod season doesn’t open until July 1! There are already lots of reports of anglers catching lingcod, so plan ahead to release them unharmed.

Local Lakes

Check out the lakes in Bells Flats for a short hike-in lake fishing option. Cicely, Aurel, Lee and Caroline lakes are all stocked with rainbow trout and offer great fishing in the summer. The best fishing is from a boat or a float tube as the banks are steep and brushy for the most part. Jack Lake is not stocked anymore but there are a few rainbows as dolly varden in both Jack and Lee 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-RF-4-17-23 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. Sunday, December 31, 2023.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-4-19-23 closed the Karluk River drainage (including the lagoon and its outlet stream) and 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. Sunday, December 31, 2023.

Don’t forget to purchase your 2023 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2023 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 2023 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.