Kodiak Fishing Report: Buskin River Sockeye Count Slowing Down

The following is courtesy of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game:

Kodiak Fishing Report

June 26, 2023

Freshwater Fishing 

• Buskin sockeye weir counts have slowed down and it is unlikely sportfishing will open anytime soon. There are very few fish in the river.
• Litnik counts have been strong in the last week with more than 25,000 counted so far. The run is past the historical peak but should have good fishing for a few more weeks.
• Fishing looks good at Pasagshak so far with schools of sockeye moving in with each tide. It’s early in the run with only 150 or so counted at the weir to date.
• Saltery weir has passed about 400 sockeye but it is early in run there as well. Fishing has been fair, but the water levels are up and there are fish in the river.
• There are a few reports of hatchery kings being caught on the road system, but these runs have been very poor the last few years. ADF&G staff with be collecting brood stock from the Olds and Salonie drainages for much of July.
• Dollies are being caught off local beaches with Mission Beach being the popular spot so far. The mouth of the Buskin and Chiniak beaches are great spots too.

Saltwater Fishing 

• King salmon fishing picked back up towards the end of last week but there was not much effort this weekend with the weather being poor. Most effort has been at the Fingers and between Woody and Long islands.
• A few more halibut are being picked up, with some fish moving into shallower water. Many folks are catching them trolling for kings but the Kodiak Rocks area has been productive as well.
• Cod continue to be abundant and are being caught nearly everywhere with the Fingers being a particular hotspot.
• Rockfish are in all the usual places in Chiniak Bay with Kodiak Rocks and Triple Lumps having an abundance.
• Don’t forget that lingcod season doesn’t open until July 1! There are already lots of reports of anglers catching lingcod, so plan ahead to release them unharmed.

Local Lakes 

With the continued wet weather, Abercrombie Lake might be a good choice for some sheltered rainbow fishing. The most productive fishing usually is from the southern end of the lake where it is deepest.

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-4-26-23 closed the Buskin River drainage to fishing for sockeye salmon through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 31, 2023.
• Emergency Order 2-RF-4-17-23 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. Sunday, December 31, 2023.
• Emergency Order 2-KS-4-19-23 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. Sunday, December 31, 2023.

Don’t forget to purchase your 2023 sport fishing license and king stamp! Help maximize social distancing and purchase your 2023 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 2023 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.