Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak/Alaska Peninsula
July 13, 2020
* Just a reminder to all our anglers, please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing the current State of Alaska Health Mandates in effect. This includes practicing social distancing while sport and personal use fishing and wearing a face covering when fishing and if you are needing fishing supplies from your local store as indicated in Health Alert 010.
* The Alaska Board of Fisheries adopted several proposals establishing new sport fish regulations for Kodiak Island, Alaska Peninsula, and Aleutian Islands at the Kodiak January 2020 meeting and the Anchorage March 2020 meeting. Please see the 2020 Southwest Sport Fishing Regulation Summary booklet for a complete summary of the Kodiak and Aleutian Islands sport fisheries regulations.
Emergency Orders
- Please review the Emergency Orders and News Releases below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.
- Emergency Order 2-KS-4-11-20 closed the Karluk River drainage including the lagoon and its outlet stream to king salmon fishing through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2020. In addition, only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure may be used in the Karluk River drainage below Karluk Lake including the lagoon and its outlet stream.
- Emergency Order 2-KS-4-10-20 closed the Ayakulik River drainage to king salmon fishing through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2020. In addition, only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure may be used in the Ayakulik River drainage.
Freshwater Fishing
- Sockeye are still coming into both Buskin and Litnik. These runs should be tapering off soon, but with a late start, fishing has been reported to be decent still.
- Pasagshak is off to a good start for the sockeye run though fishing can still be spotty at times depending on the tides and conditions.
- Saltery has seen very slow weir counts, but there are fish building in the river and in the bay. The water is very low, making fishing tricky, but look for fishing to pick up with the next rain.
- Stocked king runs are pretty much nonexistent so far. Just a couple fish have been seen to date with almost no catches reported. ADF&G staff will be out on Salonie, American, and Olds collecting broodstock from now until the end of July.
- Dollies are in thick in most roadside rivers now. Great Dolly fishing has been reported at Buskin in particular.
Saltwater Fishing
- King salmon fishing unexpectable became excellent this weekend. King salmon catches were great this weekend with many reports of limits being caught and fish ranging from 15 - 30lbs. Hot spots were Buoy 4, the fingers, and Chiniak.
- Coho are being caught as well with catches picking up over the weekend. Lots of anglers are reporting catching coho, though often fewer than king salmon in the same locations. Ugak Island has been a recent hot spot in addition to Buoy 4 and Chiniak.
- Halibut fishing continues to be steady with fish being caught in shallower water (80 - 120ft) recently. Fish in the 40 - 80lb range have been common.
- Lingcod fishing has been excellent lately, with most anglers reporting easily finding lingcod or catching them while fishing for halibut or rockfish or even while trolling.
Local Lakes
- For those with Coast Guard Base access, the pond on Nyman’s Peninsula, Lilly Pond or Nyman’s Pond, often has great fishing in the summer. Anglers often report double digit catches, though large fish are rarely encountered. It’s easy to fish from shore or while wading or with a float tube.
Don’t forget to bring your 2020 sport fishing license! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2020 sport fishing license through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home. Also, make sure to review Emergency Orders and the 2020 Southwest Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.
For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Kodiak Area Office at (907) 486-1880.
