Sockeye Counts Improving In Kodiak’s Buskin River Weir

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

Kodiak Fishing Report

June 19, 2023

Freshwater Fishing 

• Buskin sockeye weir counts improved over the weekend with over 600 sockeye counted. This is still well behind average and what is expected to make the escapement goal. The sockeye fishery closed Saturday via emergency order and won’t reopen until the escapement goal is achieved.
• Litnik counts have improved quite a bit and the run seems to be tracking the last 5 years. Fishing has been reported as fairly slow, as the water is still high.
• A few sockeye have been caught at Pasagshak with some schools coming in with each tide. Fishing was good this past weekend for being so early.
• Saltery weir has passed a few sockeye, but no reports of any catches have come in yet.
• 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 has slowed down quite a bit with few reports of kings being caught in the last week. Kalsin Bay seems to be where most of the fish have come from lately.
• Halibut fishing has slowed some too, but weather has likely played a big part in that.
• Cod continue to be abundant and are being caught throughout Chiniak Bay with many folks mentioning easy catches of fish over 10 lbs. Between Woody and Long islands and the Fingers is where most of the effort has been.
• Rockfish are being found in all the usual places this year so far, but many folks trolling at the Fingers have been catching quite a few large (4+ lbs) rockfish.
• 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 

The lake levels are up quite a bit with all the rain, so fishing from some sort of watercraft is likely a good choice until water levels come down to make shore fishing easier. Dragonfly Lake on Cliff Point is a great choice for fishing right now with recent reports of excellent fishing. It’s a small lake so easy to cover with a float tube or raft and find fish in fairly short order.

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.