Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak

Archived Sport Fishing Report

July 05, 2022

ADF&G News

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Freshwater Fishing

  • Fishing for sockeye salmon in the Buskin River is open again as of Saturday and the bag limit has been restored to two per day. Sounds like effort was high this weekend and some fish were caught. Sockeyes should continue to come in the river through the rest of July and beyond, but we are well past the peak of the run and fishing will taper off in the coming weeks.
  • A large number of sockeyes were counted at Litnik this weekend and the run is back on track to meet escapement goals. Fishing reports from last week indicated it was very slow due to the low water, but fishing should be improving with the rain and fish movement now.
  • Fishing at Saltery sounds about average for this time of year and weir counts are below average. Fishing at Pasagshak has been hit and miss with many of the reports of good fishing being in the very early morning or late evening when things have been cooler.
  • A handful of kings have been caught on road system rivers, but king runs continue to produce low returns. ADF&G personnel will be on the rivers collecting fish for brood stock beginning this Friday.
  • Dolly Varden are around in abundance now with Buskin being a hot spot but nearly all local rivers having good numbers of Dollies as well as most beaches. Dolly fishing from Mayflower and Myrtle beaches in Kalsin Bay is usually productive this time of year.

Saltwater Fishing

  • King salmon fishing has been good in the last week with fishing between Woody and Long islands, on the north end of Long Island, and Buoy 4 area were all producing in the last week. The hot bite can move around by the hour from the sounds of it though.
  • Halibut fishing was also good in the last week with most folks indicating catches of good-sized halibut without a lot of effort and fish between 20 and 40 lbs. common. The usual hot spots are Buoy 4, Triple Lumps and Chiniak this time of year.
  • With the recent lingcod opener, there were lots of reports of lingcod being caught, with some over 30 lbs. There are no size restrictions in Kodiak for lingcod; however, lingcod under 30 inches yield very little meat so it’s a good practice to consider what is worth keeping when catching lingcod!
  • Rockfish are being caught in most areas of Chiniak Bay and beyond. See the emergency order below for more info for nonresident limits.
    • Check your 2022 Southwest Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for species identification information.
    • 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.

Local Lakes

  • Aurel Lake in Bells Flats has been productive recently with similar reports to other lakes of rainbows in the 12 to 16 inch range common and being caught from shore. Now is a good time to hike up to Aurel or nearby Cicely and Caroline as well as Lee Lake as these trails were just cleared of brush and should be easy walking to the lakes!

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-RS-4-42-22 reopens the Buskin River drainage for sockeye salmon fishing effective through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, December 31, 2022.
  • 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! You can 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.

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