Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak

June Season

Saltwater Fishing Opportunities

Kodiak halibut fishing in June can be excellent, with good angler success in portions of Chiniak Bay including Buoy 4, Cape Chiniak and waters surrounding Long and Spruce Islands. Halibut harvested from Kodiak waters average 30-35 pounds. Mooching with herring, octopus, salmon heads and artificial jig are preferred methods.

Rockfish fishing can be good throughout the month of June. The rockfish daily bag limit in Kodiak area waters is 5 fish and 10 in possession, of which only 2 can be non-pelagic species and 1 can be a yelloweye. In Chiniak and Marmot Bay waters, the rockfish bag limit is 3 per day, 6 in possession and 2 of these (4 in possession) can be non-pelagic and only one of the non-pelagic (2 in possession) can be a yelloweye. Pelagic species (black and dusky rockfish) are frequently caught and typically weight between 3 and 4 pounds. Occasionally, the more brightly-colored yellow-eye are caught in deep water and average 9 pounds. There are no size restrictions for harvesting rockfish. Anglers targeting rockfish are encouraged to fish for black or dusky rockfish in waters less than 10 fathoms (60 feet) or use a deep-water release mechanism to minimize mortality of released fish.

Lingcod fishing is closed until July 1 to protect male lingcod guarding their nests. Targeting lingcod for catch and release during the closed season is not allowed. All lingcod caught unintentionally must be landed without using a gaff and carefully released.

Sharks are are occasionally taken in the Kodiak area. The daily bag limit for sharks is one fish of any species (except spiny dogfish), an annual limit is two sharks. The bag limit for spiny dogfish is 5 per day with no annual limit. Edible species include spiny dogfish and salmon sharks. All harvested sharks for which the annual limit applies must be recorded immediately upon capture on your license or harvest record. Please do not cut off the head or tail until after the fish is landed to ensure that ADF&G port samplers have an opportunity to obtain measurements.

During June, the Division of Sport Fish annually collects data from the recreational marine waters fishery in the Kodiak area. A department technician interviews returning anglers and samples halibut, rockfish, lingcod, and sharks for length, weight, sex, and age statistics, and also records individual catches of salmon. You can help the success of this program by agreeing to be interviewed and waiting to fillet or cut up any harvested fish until they can be sampled at the harbor by department technicians. Information collected by this project is used to monitor the health of the fishery, advise halibut management agencies, and help the Board of Fisheries formulate regulations that protect fish stock and provide maximum fishing opportunity. For more information about the ground fish research program, contact Martin Schuster in the Homer ADF&G Office at (907) 235-1730.

King salmon can be found in Kodiak salt waters year round, with excellent fishing success during June. The best-known fishing spots along the road system are Cape Chiniak and Buoy 4. Kodiak king salmon average 20 pounds but fish up to 70 pounds are occasionally taken. In addition to their sport fishing license, anglers sport fishing for king salmon must purchase a current year's king salmon stamp.

June on Kodiak's Road System (Includes salt waters within 1 mile of shore)

Red salmon fishing is excellent in the Buskin River during June. The run usually peaks in mid-June and escapement counts average around 14,000 reds. By late June, the Buskin red run is about 85% complete.

The Pasagshak River return starts about mid-June, peaks in early July, and is over by the end of July. The estimated average sport harvest of Pasagshak red salmon is 1,500 fish. Red salmon also start to appear in Saltery River in mid to late June. Saltery has the biggest red salmon return on the road system, although a four-wheel drive or ATV is needed to access the fishery. The Saltery run peaks in mid-July with returns averaging around 30,000 reds.

King salmon are beginning to return to Monashka Creek, and the Olds and American rivers during June. Early in June the best fishing is along the ocean beaches and in the lower reaches of the creeks, while fish can often be found in deep pools in the creeks later in June. Daily and possession limits for king salmon harvested in fresh waters are 2 fish. For king salmon less than 20", the daily bag and possession limit is 10 fish. An annual limit of 5 for king salmon harvested in freshwater is also in effect. All harvested king salmon over 20" taken in fresh water must be recorded immediately upon capture on your license or harvest record.

Rainbow trout are also available in over 15 stocked lakes on the Kodiak Road System. Some of the more accessible and better producing lakes include Horseshoe, Abercrombie, Lily Pond, Lee, Aurel and Caroline. The daily bag and possession limit is 10 rainbow trout (only 1 may be 20 inches or longer). There is not an annual limit or closed fishing season on stocked rainbow trout. Fishing for Rainbow trout is catch and release only in road system lakes that are not currently stocked by ADF&G. See the current regulation booklet for an updated list of stocked lakes.

Dolly Varden present an excellent, uncrowded opportunity for light tackle action. During June Dolly Varden are found in near shore salt waters and are fished from local beaches at Pillar and Myrtle creeks, Mission Lake and Rosyln River. Anglers usually use small spinners such as or emergent salmon fry (alevin) fly patterns.

Salmon - Remote Area

By early June, king salmon returns to the Karluk and Ayakulik rivers are in typically full swing. The Ayakulik historicallys averages an escapement of 14,000 fish while the Karluk averages around 9,000 but in recent years these runs have been much smaller. Ayakulik averages about 9,000 fish while Karluk averages less than 4,000 fish in recent years. Returns to both rivers typically peak around June 15. Check for emergency orders pertaining to these two stocks before fishing as restrictions have been placed on Karluk and Ayakulik Chinook in recent years.

Most steelhead have out-migrated to the ocean by June, but fishing for resident rainbows should remain productive throughout the month in areas supporting sizable populations of fish, such as the Malina, Marka and Afognak Rivers. Fishing Kodiak Island for rainbow/steelhead trout is open year round, with an annual limit of no more than 2 fish 20" or longer. All harvested rainbow trout/steelhead 20" or longer must be recorded immediately upon capture on your license or harvest record.