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Alaska Department of Fish & Game's
Southcentral - Kodiak
Weekly Fishing Forecast
Disclaimer
This report is reproduced from information provided by Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Kodiak Office, and will be updated weekly throughout the fishing season. The same message can be accessed on their Record-A-Phone "Sportfishing Forecast" at (907) 486-5176.
| DATE: Week of JUNE 30 to JULY 6, 2009 |
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- Effective July 1, 2009, the Ayakulik River drainage king salmon sport fishery is closed. In addition, the use of bait is prohibited.
- In the Karluk River drainage, the king salmon sport fishery is closed. In addition, the use of bait is prohibited downstream of Karluk Lake.
- Effective July 1, 2009, Karluk River drainage sockeye salmon sport bag limits are reduced to 2 fish per day, 4 in possession.
- In the Buskin River drainage, the sockeye salmon sport fishery is closed.
- For full details of all emergency orders that have been issued this year, anglers are encouraged to check the ADF&G Web site at: http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/eonr/index.cfm?region=Region%202%2DSouthcentral or contact the Kodiak ADF&G office at (907) 486-1880 for updated information on area salmon fisheries before setting out on their trip.
SALMON
- King and sockeye salmon weir counts at the Karluk River remain well below historical averages. Consequently, the king salmon sport fishery remains closed until further notice. The sockeye salmon bag limit has been reduced to 2 per day and 4 possession. This restriction will remain in effect through July 15.
- The 2009 Buskin River sockeye salmon run remains the second lowest on record. Consequently, the sport fishery for this species will remain closed until further notice.
- The current Afognak River sockeye salmon escapement continues to improve, with more than 20,000 counted through the weir as of June 27. Right now, inriver fishing for Afognak sockeye salmon is excellent.
- The Pasagshak River sockeye salmon run has started with reports of fair numbers of fish being caught near the river mouth.
- The counting weir at Saltery River has so far recorded nearly 2,000 sockeye salmon, indicating the 2009 run is starting out stronger than usual.
- The enhanced king salmon run at Monashka Creek continues to return, with anglers near the creek mouth reportedly catching more than a dozen 15- to 24-pound fish over the last several days. A number of 8- to 10-pound two-year-old males from smolt releases in 2007 are also expected to show up at the American and Olds rivers, although recent reports from these locations indicate few fish have returned as of yet. Spinners and flies are effective inriver presentations for these Òtwo-ocean jacks,Ó but anglers fishing for keepers should try drifting salmon roe with a bobber through deep pools.
- A small number of pink salmon are reportedly arriving in near-shore waters along the Kodiak road system; pinks are also being reported in the troll fishery.
DOLLY VARDEN, Trout, Grayling
- Dolly Varden mixed in with arriving pinks are also available in near-shore salt waters at most rivers along the Kodiak road system, the beaches of Roslyn and Chiniak creeks being some favorite locations for local anglers. Last weekend at Roslyn Creek a number of Dollies were observed feeding on needlefish near the creek mouth.
LAKE Fishing
- Late June is a good time to fish rainbow trout in the stocked lakes along the Kodiak road zone as water temperatures increase and fish become more active in search of food. Current temperature readings as high as 10¡C have been reported at some lower elevation lakes, suggesting rainbows in these waters should be fully active in search of food and may be found in shallower waters and along shorelines.
- Some of the higher elevation lakes may still be partially frozen. Look for the biggest rainbows inhabiting these lakes in deeper waters. Be sure to always check water temperatures when fishing rainbows, as this statistic will provide insight to their seasonal habits. Although ADF&G currently stocks only sterile juvenile trout, some lakes with a stocking history dating to the 1950s may also contain spawning populations of adult fish. Rainbows typically spawn during the month of May, but often spawn later in colder waters. Anglers wishing to avoid catching these fish should still avoid flowing waters into or out of the higher elevation lakes through the end of June.
- Halibut fishing should continue to improve during the coming week. Anglers last weekend reported catching halibut at several locations within Chiniak Bay.
- SALMON - Trolling for Chinook (king) salmon in KodiakÕs marine waters has become very popular in recent years. Kings can be fished successfully year-round, though fishing tends to be spotty and difficult to predict. Recent reports indicate trolling success has been mixed, with anglers targeting the ÒfingersÓ reef near "Buoy #4," all waters of Monashka Bay, and Cape Chiniak. At this time of year, trollers also target the Cape Gravelle/Sequel Point area, and occasionally the Ouzinkie Narrows. Kodiak king salmon average 20 pounds, but fish up to 70 pounds are occasionally caught.
Other Saltwater Fishing
- * Black rockfish can currently be caught at depths of 10 fathoms or less near kelp beds along rock pinnacles and other natural or man made structures. Good catches have been reported during the last few weeks by anglers fishing the rock pinnacles along Miller Point. Rockfish are also frequently caught from shore at locations such as the breakwater barrier shielding St. Paul Harbor.
- Anglers are reminded that the lingcod season OPENS July 1.
Area webpage: http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Region2/areas/kodiak/kodhome.cfm
Salmon and trout identification pages: http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/regulations/2001/html/pdfs/01ayksalmonid.pdf
River levels: http://aprfc.arh.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/ahps.cgi?pacr
Lake stocking: http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/Hatchery/Stocking_search/HTML/stock_search.cfm
Maps to stocked lakes: http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/Region2/LAKEMAPS/HTML/LAKEMAP1.stm
Southcentral informational handouts: http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/region2/pubs.cfm
Safety in bear country: http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/hunt_trap/hunting/huntak/huntak14.cfm
Enforcement: http://www.dps.state.ak.us/fwp/index.asp
Regulations: http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/reghome.cfm
Northern pike: http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/region2/areas/anch/pikepage.cfm
OEO/ADA statement: http://www.adfg.state.ak.us/oeostate.php
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