Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 25, 2024

Freshwater Fishing

• The Buskin sockeye run is still plugging along and weir counts were steady over the weekend. The run typically peaks in the third week of June. Fish have not been holding long in the lower river. More fish need to pass through the weir this week if the fishery is to remain open.
• Litnik saw steady weir counts over the weekend. The run is now past the historical peak and fishing should be good for a few more weeks.
• Sockeye started trickling through the Pasagshak weir this weekend. It is early in the run with only 150 fish counted so far. Sockeye are moving in with the tides.
• Saltery weir has passed about 250 sockeye so far, but it is early in the run there as well. The river was murky with all of the rain last week and fishing will improve with drier weather.
• There have been no reports of hatchery kings being caught on the road system yet.

Saltwater Fishing

• King salmon fishing was excellent over the weekend with lots of effort due to the nice weather. Majority of effort has been at the Fingers, between Woody and Long Islands, and in front of the Woody Island dock.
• Halibut fishing has been great with fish in the 20-40 lb range are common. The Buoy 4 area and Williams Reef continue to be popular areas.
• Rockfish are also being found at most reef and rock structures in Chiniak Bay. See below for more info on the new rockfish regulations that became effective June 1 by emergency order. If you need to brush up on rockfish identification, the Kodiak office has various outreach materials.
• Dollies can still be caught from most local beaches. Mission, Pillar and the beaches in Kalsin Bay and Chiniak have been the go-to spots to catch dollies.
• Don’t forget that lingcod season doesn’t open until next Monday, July 1!
• There are still cod around and folks are catching fish up to 10-15 lbs.

Local Lakes

The stocked lakes in Bells Flats offer great fishing during the summer months and are accessible via a short hike on a well-worn trail. Aurel, Caroline and Cicely lakes, as well as Lee Lake are stocked with rainbow trout. The lakes can be fished from shore, but the best fishing is from a boat, float tube, or with waders as the banks are brushy and steep in places.

Special Species Information

• New rockfish regulations took effect June 1 for Kodiak and Afognak waters north of Dangerous and Outlet Capes. This includes all the waters of Afognak, Raspberry and Shuyak Islands as well as Chiniak, Ugak and Marmot Bays and all of Whale Pass and Kupreanof Strait. It is also in effect for all anglers, both resident and non-resident.
• Anglers fishing in these waters can keep 5 rockfish per day, but for only 2 can be of a single species. This is similar to salmon bag limits in the Kodiak Road Zone and an example would be that an angler could harvest 2 black rockfish, 2 dusky rockfish and a yelloweye. Species ID guides are available in the Southwest Alaska Regulation Booklet, on the ADF&G website and in the Kodiak ADF&G office.
• The standard bag limit for non-pelagic and yelloweye is still in effect Island wide, only 2 of your rockfish bag limit may be non-pelagic species and only one of these may be a yelloweye.

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-4-17-24 reduced the bag and possession limit for a single species of rockfish to 2 per day, 4 in possession north of Outlet Cape and Dangerous Cape. This emergency order is in effect from Saturday June 1, 2024 through 11:59 pm. Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-4-16-24 closed the Karluk River drainage (including the lagoon and its outlet stream) and 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. Tuesday, December 31, 2024.

Don't forget to purchase your 2024 sport fishing license and king stamp! You can purchase and display your fishing license and king stamp, record your annual harvest (i.e. king salmon), access sport fishing regulations and locations, and so much more on your mobile device. Download the ADF&G Mobile App today. You can also purchase licenses through the ADF&G online store and print it off from the comfort of your own home. Make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2024 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.

For additional information, please contact the ADF&G Kodiak Area Office at (907) 486-1880.