Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 12, 2023

Freshwater Fishing

• Buskin sockeye weir counts are well behind right now compared to last year, but a decent number of fish have moved into the river recently and fishing sounded good over the weekend. However, quite a few more fish need to pass the weir this week if the fishery is to stay open.
• Litnik is off to a similar start as Buskin but several thousand fish were counted at the weir just yesterday. Reports show the water is very high and murky and no one has indicated fishing is very good yet.
• No Dolly Varden hot spots have been mentioned yet, but June is typically the best time to catch them in estuaries and off many beaches around town. Mission Beach, the Buskin mouth and the beaches in Chiniak are the usual go-to spots.

Saltwater Fishing

• King salmon fishing was good this last week when the weather cooperated. Most effort was at the Fingers and between Woody and Long islands, but there were not many fishable days.
• Halibut fishing continues to be good with many folks trolling for kings and reporting catches of halibut while trolling. Again, the weather seems to be the limiting factor.
• Cod continue to be abundant in almost all areas of Chiniak Bay with the more sheltered areas getting the most effort due to weather. Triple Lumps and the back of Long Island have produced large cod as of late when anglers are able to get there.
• 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

With the weather being as poor as its been, many folks are looking for close-to-town fishing options. There are four lakes right in town that are stocked with rainbows: Island, Dark, Lilly and Abercrombie. All offer good rainbow fishing with Lilly being the most productive and Abercrombie having the best access and being relatively sheltered.

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.