Kodiak Salmon Fishing Slowly Starting Up

 Fishing Report 
  

Kodiak Fishing Report

June 28, 2022

ADF&G News

  • ADF&G is mobile. You can purchase and display your fishing license and king stamp, record your annual harvest (i.e. king salmon, halibut), access sport fishing regulations and locations, and so much more on your mobile device. Download the ADF&G Mobile App today.

Freshwater Fishing 

  • Counts at the Buskin weir have continued to pick up in the last week; however, they are still aways away from meeting the escapement goal and the river will remain closed for now. See the emergency order below for more info.
  • Counts remain below average at Litnik as well, though all indications point to the low, warm water in the river as the reason for the lagging weir counts.
  • Sockeye salmon are starting to be caught at Pasagshak and Saltery with reports of decent schools building up in both locations. Saltery sounds like it has fairly high water and Pasagshak is extremely low, so fishing may be slower at both locations.
  • No reports of kings from Road System creeks have come in yet. These runs typically start in mid-June, but returns have been very low in recent years.
  • Dollies are starting to return to local rivers now, with lots of Dollies coming into the Buskin at the moment.

Saltwater Fishing 

  • King salmon fishing continues to be steady with many anglers reporting catching at least one king per trip. Buoy 4 and between Woody and Long islands continue to be the go-to spots as of late.
  • Halibut fishing has been good with halibut being found in less than 100 feet of water frequently now. Anglers are mentioning releasing lots of very small halibut this year in the 1 to 3 lb. range.
  • Rockfish are being caught in most areas of Chiniak Bay still, with many of the favorite spots being near Chiniak, behind Long Island and Kodiak Rocks. See the emergency order below for more info on 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.
  • Don’t forget that lingcod season doesn’t open until this Friday, July 1! Most anglers report catching lots of smaller lingcod, so plan ahead to release them unharmed.

Local Lakes 

  • Heitman Lake sounds like it has fairly consistent fishing for rainbows right now. Fish in the 12 – 16 inch range are common and fishing from a boat or float tube may be the most productive. If fishing from shore, focus on the deeper sections of the lake near the shore which can be found by the steep hillsides immediately above the lake shore.

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-4-27-22 closed the Buskin River drainage to sport fishing for sockeye salmon. This emergency order is in effect through11:59 pm 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.