Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kuskokwim

August 4, 2020

* Just a reminder to all of our anglers - please do your part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 by following and reviewing the State of Alaska Health Mandates currently in effect. As indicated in Health Alert 010, please wear a face covering and practice social distancing while sport and personal use fishing, and while shopping for fishing supplies from your local store.

Emergency Orders

Please review the Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

• There are no current Emergency orders. However, sport fishing for king salmon closed by regulation after July 25.

More information available at:

• Fairbanks: 907-459-7361

Sport Fishing

Salmon:

King salmon fishing in the Kuskokwim-Goodnews Area is closed by regulation after July 25.

While chum and sockeye salmon returns have shown up both weak and late this year in the mainstem Kuskokwim River, they are reported to be good in the Kuskokwim Bay rivers (Kanektok, Goodnews, Arolik rivers).

Coho salmon are entering the Lower Kuskokwim River and Kuskokwim Bay. It remains too early to gauge how well that run will ultimately turn out, but managers are hopeful that they will appear in good numbers. Sport and subsistence fishermen, using rod and reel, have reported limited catches at clearwater tributaries in the lower Kuskokwim River and Kuskokwim Bay streams.

Resident freshwater species:

Rainbow trout fishing has been reported to be very good in the Kanektok, Goodnews, and Aniak rivers.

Fishing for sheefish on the lower Holitna River is generally very good this time of year. Fishing for Northern pike in the sloughs of the many tributaries that drain into the Kuskokwim mainstem is productive at this time of year. The Aniak and Holitna are particularly popular.

Communication with local sport fish guides and business owners has suggested that many businesses are closed. Those that aren’t closed are operating under a much-reduced capacity due to Covid-19 concerns from potential clients. Before planning a fishing trip to this area, be sure to check with your guide service or charter operator about travel restrictions and potential changes to operational capacity.

After the initial high waters during breakup, the mainstem Kuskokwim River has been near average for water level and clarity through the latter part of July. Clearwater tributaries of the Kuskokwim River, such as the Kwethluk, Kisaralik, and Aniak have had stable water levels due to low levels of rain, and fishing for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden has been good. The Kanektok and Goodnews rivers (tributaries into Kuskokwim Bay) have also been reported as good, and all locations are reported to have much less traffic than usual for their already remote locations.

Don’t forget to bring your 2020 sport fishing license. Help maximize social distancing by purchasing your sport fishing license at the ADF&G Online Store. You can print your license from the comfort of your home. Also, be sure to review Emergency Orders and the 2020 Northern Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.

For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Fairbanks Office at (907) 459-7200.