Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kuskokwim
Archived Sport Fishing Report
August 02, 2022
ADF&G news
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Freshwater fishing
High water has been a hindrance through much of the season, and as August tends to have more rain than other months, sport fishermen should plan accordingly. Many of the Kuskokwim area freshwater drainages are prone to high and turbid water conditions very quickly after a period of heavy rain.
There are many guides and outfitters that provide excellent services and opportunities throughout the Kuskokwim-Goodnews area, out of the Bethel and Aniak communities, as well as some of the smaller remote lodges in addition outfitters and air taxi services from the Dillingham area.
Sheefish
Sheefish fishing has been reported to be good at the mouth of the Aniak River, and the lower Holitna River from the mouth to near the conjunction of the Hoholitna River. Fishermen have been using large smolt patterns and large colorful spoons as well as diving lures with great success.
Rainbow trout
Rainbow trout fishing has been good in the lower Kuskokwim River tributaries (Kisaralik, Kwethluk, Kasigluk, and Aniak Rivers), as well as the Kuskokwim Bay tributaries (Kanektok, Goodnews, and Arolik Rivers). Most fishermen have been using salmon flesh-colored flies or similarly colored spinning gear, or light-colored jigs.
Dolly Varden
Dolly Varden fishing has been inconsistent throughout the area throughout the season.
Arctic grayling
Arctic grayling are found in similar locations and conditions, generally in fast-moving water in clearwater tributaries.
Northern pike
Northern pike fishing can be world-class because pike are not often targeted in this drainage, and they inhabit large waters with plenty of room and forage to grow. The bigger fish often tend to occupy clearwater mouths or connected slough complexes along the mainstem Kuskokwim River. Anything that imitates prey and attracts attention will work. Crocodiles and larges spoons work anytime, and topwater lures such as jitterbugs and large fly patterns work best in the late evening under the midnight sun when the large pike will lurk in the warm surface waters.
King salmon
Sport fishing for king salmon closed for the season on July 25.
Chum salmon
The chum salmon run has been low and sport fishing has been closed in the Kuskokwim River drainage. This includes catch-and-release. However, the Kuskokwim Bay drainages remain open to sport fishing for chum salmon.
Coho salmon
Coho salmon are coming into the lower Kuskokwim River and into the Kuskokwim Bay drainages (Goodnews, Kanektok, and Arolik Rivers), and early reports indicate that they are late and in low numbers. After the season-long closure for fishing for king salmon in the Kuskokwim River drainages, sport fishermen are eager to catch some coho salmon. Hopefully, the run strength improves as the season progresses. They are easily catchable using large flashy spoons for spinning gear, or any comparably flashy fly-fishing gear. They are commonly caught throughout the clearwater tributaries of the Kuskokwim River and Kuskokwim Bay, but within the Kuskokwim River sport fishers often concentrate their effort at the mixing zones where the clearwater streams mix with the glacially turbid waters of the Kuskokwim River.
Emergency Orders
Please review the Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip:
Emergency Order 3-CS-V-17-2022 closes the Kuskokwim River drainage to sport fishing for chum salmon.
For More Information
Call the Kuskokwim Goodnews Area Manager John Chythlook at (907) 459-7361.
Additional Tips
Don’t forget to bring your 2021 sport fishing license. Help maximize social distancing by purchasing your sport fishing license at the ADF&G Online Store and printing it off from the comfort of your home. Also, be sure to review Emergency Orders and the 2021 Northern Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet for the area you are fishing in before you head out.
Because fish typically grow and reproduce more slowly at high latitudes and elevations, please use proper techniques when engaging in catch-and-release in order to ensure the survival of the released fish such as:
- Use lures with a single hook and crimp down the barb. Do not use bait.
- Land the fish with a soft net and keep the fish in the water when removing the hook.
- To release the fish, hold it gently facing into the current or in water without current gently cradle the fish and move it slowly back and forth until it swims away under its own power.