Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak

Archived Sport Fishing Report

May 23, 2022

Freshwater Fishing

• Dolly Varden are still being caught in Buskin Lake and some in the river. They are moving out of the lake slowly this season, but fishing has been good in the lake the last couple days.
• Steelhead and rainbow trout are both being caught commonly in Buskin River, with the area from the Beaver Pond downstream to the lower weir site having the highest concentration. A good practice for anglers is to avoid fishing where steelhead and rainbow trout are actively spawning in redds.
• There are a handful of sockeye salmon that have been caught in the Buskin so far but nothing past the weir. A very few have been counted through the Litnik weir as well.

Saltwater Fishing

• King salmon fishing was reported as good last week while the weather was calm. Most fish came from Kalsin Bay and Buoy 4, but some effort has occurred near Inner Humpback as well. Most anglers are mentioning that fish are well fed, and a few fish have been caught over 30 lbs.
• Not many reports of halibut have come in in the last week but so far in May, many people trolling in the Buoy 4 area have mentioned catching halibut. Other popular spring locations are Whale Pass and Kalsin Reef.
• Cod are also prevalent right now and most anglers are indicating they are in most areas of Chiniak Bay and being caught from near the surface to 200 ft.
• Rockfish bag limits have been reduced to three pelagic rockfish per day for nonresident anglers for much of the eastside of Kodiak Island and Afognak Island. Bag limits for resident anglers remain the same this season, with a total bag limit of five rockfish per day but only three per day inside Chiniak and Marmot bays. Nonpelagic limits remain at two per day with only one being a yelloweye for the whole Island and for all anglers. Please refer to the emergency orders below for more info.
  • The use of a deepwater release mechanism is required on all sportfishing vessels in Alaska, and they must be used to release rockfish back down to a depth of capture or 100 feet, whichever is shallower. Ever heard of the deepwater release? Check out our webpage for more info.
• Don’t forget that lingcod season doesn’t open until July 1! Most anglers report catching lots of smaller lingcod, so plan ahead to release them unharmed.

Local Lakes

• May is always a good time to check out the lower elevation stocked lakes that typically warm up first. East Twin is a popular springtime rainbow trout fishing spot and is often one of the first to be ice free with fish being active in May.

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-4-16-22 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. Saturday, December 31, 2022.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-4-15-22 closed 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. Monday, July 25, 2022.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-4-14-22 closed the Karluk River drainage, including the lagoon and its outlet stream to king salmon fishing and restricted fishing gear to only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure through 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 25, 2022.

Don’t forget to purchase your 2022 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2022 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 2022 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.