Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kuskokwim

Archived Sport Fishing Report

June 04, 2024

ADF&G News

Don't forget to purchase your 2024 sport fishing license and king stamp! Download the ADF&G Mobile App today. 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 much more on your mobile device. You can also purchase licenses through the ADF&G online store and print it off at home. Make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2024 Northern Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.

Local Conditions

June 2024 has started with extremely high water on the Kuskokwim River and in Kuskokwim Bay. Sport fishing and rod-and-reel subsistence fishing is nearly impossible currently due to high flow and turbidity. In addition, a late-arriving spring has made the arrival of king salmon and sheefish into the rivers about two weeks later than usual.

Kuskokwim River Tributaries

*Note: Presence of a particular fish species does not necessarily mean that it is legal to fish for that species. In addition, some waters have terminal tackle restrictions and all have bag and possession limits that may differ between drainages. Please consult current sport fishing regulations for the waters in which you plan to fish. Sometimes sport fishing regulations are modified inseason, usually in the case of salmon. Please review any “Emergency Orders” issued in the area you are planning to fish prior to wetting your line.

Salmon

  • Below-average king salmon returns are expected this season. The Kuskokwim River drainage (not including the Kuskokwim Bay streams, i.e. the Kanektok, Goodnews, and Arolik Rivers) is closed to king salmon fishing pre-season and is expected to remain closed throughout the season. King, chum, and coho salmon fishing was closed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and opportunities to fish for those species is restricted to local subsistence users. Sport fishing for other species remains open. King salmon are entering the Kuskokwim Bay streams, though it is a cold and late spring and they are about two weeks late. They typically enter the rivers starting in mid-May.

Resident Species

  • Water in all Kuskokwim River drainages remains very high, with lots of debris. However, good fishing opportunities can be expected later as water levels continue to decrease. Many of the local rivers support sheefish, Dolly Varden, burbot, rainbow trout, northern pike and Arctic grayling.
  • Northern pike fishing improves throughout June as they recover from the rigors of spawning. Anglers will find northern pike in shallow waters that are adjacent to cooler, deeper waters.
  • Fishing for burbot at the mouths of Kuskokwim River tributaries is a common, local practice. Setlines are allowed for burbot fishing.
  • Sheefish migrate up the Kuskokwim River drainage in May and June, and often can be caught with hook and line at the mouths of clear tributaries.
  • Local high elevation lakes can provide excellent fishing opportunities for Arctic char/lake trout and Dolly Varden during the early morning or late evening hours. Try fishing near outlets and inlets or off points of land that are adjacent to deep waters.

Kuskokwim Bay Tributaries

Salmon

  • Sport fishing for king salmon remains open in the Kuskokwim Bay, but please check for announcements throughout the season. In years that are open to king salmon fishing, sport fishing for king salmon in the Kuskokwim Bay streams generally continues to improve throughout June. The Kanektok, Arolik and Goodnews River king salmon runs peak in the lower sections of these rivers during the last week of June. Anglers can expect to find fair numbers of king salmon in the mid reaches of the Kuskokwim Bay streams by the end of June.
  • Sockeye salmon begin to enter local Kuskokwim Bay streams in the lower sections in early June. Generally the sockeye salmon run peaks before mid-July in the lower reaches of Kuskokwim Bay streams.
  • Fishing for chum salmon in the Kanektok River has been closed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the month of June.

Resident Species

  • Dolly Varden and rainbow trout fishing this time of year is generally good, but is highly dependent on fishing conditions, particularly water clarity. The high elevation lakes offer excellent fishing for char/lake trout and Dolly Varden as soon as the ice is out.

Best Practices

During these times of salmon conservation, it is important to use best practices when handling fish, especially if a fish is accidentally caught that is in a closed fishery. These practices include:

  • Keeping the fish in the water
  • Using single-hook lures or flies
  • When taking pictures, cradle the fish with both hands
  • Pinching your barbs down
  • If you cannot remove the fly easily, consider cutting the line or the hook

Enjoy these western Alaska fishing opportunities, operate boats in courteous manner, pack out your waste and only leave your footprints. Good luck fishing!

For more information, please call the Kuskokwim-Goodnews Area Manager John Chythlook at (907) 459-7361.

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