Sockeye Fishing Off To A Slow Start On Kodiak

The following is courtesy of the Alaska

Kodiak Fishing Report

May 31, 2022

Freshwater Fishing 

• There are a handful of sockeye salmon that have been caught in the Buskin so far but nothing past the weir. It sounds like it’s off to a slow start so far.
• A few sockeyes have been counted through the Litnik weir but fishing sounds like it picked up over the weekend. Sockeye salmon were starting to build up in the lagoon in the last several days.
• Dolly Varden are still being caught in Buskin Lake and some in the river. They are moving out of the lake slowly this season, but fishing has been good in the lake over the last couple days.

Saltwater Fishing 

• King salmon fishing was reported as good last week with some large fish caught nearing 30lbs. Over the weekend, fishing seems to have slowed down considerable with few fish caught despite lots of effort.
• Halibut fishing sounds slow at the moment as well with few reports of halibut caught in the last week.
• Cod are still around and easy to catch with most anglers reporting catching them both trolling and jigging in most areas in Chiniak Bay.
• Rockfish are being caught in most areas of Chiniak Bay as well, with many of the favorite spots being near Chiniak, behind Long Island and Kodiak Rocks. Please refer to the emergency orders below for nonresident bag and possession limits.
  • 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 July 1! Most anglers report catching lots of smaller lingcod, so plan ahead to release them unharmed.

Local Lakes 

• With the warm weather in the last week, most stocked lakes should be warming quickly. Heitman Lake often has great rainbow fishing as its warming up and now is a great time to take the short hike up to the lake and try it out. Fish are often found very near where the trail intersects the lake.

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-4-16-22 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.