Kodiak Fishing Report: Saltery River Sockeye Fishing Solid; Pinks Entering Rivers

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

Kodiak Fishing Report

July 17, 2023

Freshwater Fishing 

• Saltery sockeye fishing has been pretty good in the last week, with most people getting easy limits. Weir counts have improved as well in the last few days. Remember, in freshwater any fish that is not hooked in the mouth is snagged and must be released.
• Pasagshak weir counts improved slightly but not enough to reopen the fishery.
• A few hatchery kings are being seen around the road system but similar to previous years, the returns are poor. ADFG staff are out on the rivers most days collecting brood stock for the egg take now.
• Pinks are in most rivers on the road system with the Olds and Buskin having the most. They are starting to build up off most local beaches as well and most reports indicate they are very large this year.
• Dollies are still being caught from local beaches as well as in most rivers. Dolly fishing in the Olds and Buskin has been very good and the Russian and Salonie have good fishing as well.

Saltwater Fishing 

• King salmon fishing continues to be really good in Chiniak Bay with reports of kings being easy to catch. Most have been small in the 5-10 lb range but a few over 10 lbs are still being found. Remember that the under 20” ‘jack’ king salmon limit only applies to freshwater. In saltwater, the king salmon limit is 2 per day of any size.
• Silvers are being caught now too but not in big numbers yet. Buoy 4, the Fingers and between the Woody and Long island have been the spots.
• Halibut fishing has picked up quite a bit too with many folks catching fish in the 10-40lb range easily. Not many reports of large halibut but lots of smaller ones mostly. Most reports are from folks trolling for kings but a lot of effort has been focused around Long Island, on all sides of it at times.
• Rockfish and lingcod are being found throughout Chiniak Bay too, with many being caught off of the Fingers reefs lately.

Local Lakes 

Dark and Island lakes offer some rainbow fishing right in town. They are stocked annually and do have public access. Dark Lake can be accessed at the end of Von Scheele Road and Island Lake from the Kodiak Island Borough park at the end of Island Lake Road. A vessel or float tube of some sort make fishing both lakes much easier.

Emergency Orders 

Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

• NEW! Emergency Order 2-RS-4-45-23 closed the Pasagshak River drainage to fishing for sockeye salmon through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 31, 2023.
• 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.