Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kodiak
December through April Season
December through April Season
Don't forget: your fishing license expires Dec. 31! A sport fishing license makes a great gift -- especially since it lasts all year long. (Note: Neither the ADF&G Permanent ID license nor the ADF&G Disabled Veteran's license expire.)
As of this year, the age requirement for resident licenses has increased to 18, so residents currently 16 and 17 years old no longer need a sport fishing license until they turn 18. Nonresidents 16 years of age and older must purchase a sport fishing license. The price of a sport fishing license has increased to $29 for a resident annual license. Other license fees have changed as well, check out the link below for the current prices:
http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/home/pdfs/2016_2017_alaska_license_fees.pdf
The sport fishing regulations are good through April 15 of the new year. Look for new booklets around March or early April and be sure to check the new regulations!
Salt water Fishing Opportunities
Halibut fishing is closed Jan. 1 through Jan. 31, and lingcod fishing is closed Jan. 1 through June 30. Closures are necessary in order to protect spawning fish. Otherwise, when weather permits, hardy anglers may find a few rockfish and smaller halibut.
Salt water trolling for king salmon has become very popular. King salmon can be found in Kodiak salt waters year round, with fishing success typically increasing in April. In addition to their sport fishing license, anglers sport fishing for king salmon must purchase a current year's king salmon stamp.
Kodiak's Road System (Includes salt waters within 1 mile of Kodiak Island)
The Buskin, Saltery and Miam Lake drainages all support relatively small runs of steelhead trout. This catch-and-release only fishery is open year round, with peak of the return typically occurring in late October. In fresh waters of the road system, from November 1 and April 30 only unbaited artificial lures maybe used (with the exception of all road system stocked lakes, Chiniak and Barry Lagoon).
Dolly Varden offers an excellent wintertime fishing opportunity. They can be found over-wintering in fresh waters including lakes or deep pools and are commonly caught on flies and pink colored rubber worms. Buskin Lake has the largest numbers of these excellent sport fish.
Rainbow trout are annually stocked in over 15 lakes on the Kodiak road system and winter fishing can be excellent in open water or through the ice. Some of the more accessible and better producing lakes include Horseshoe, Abercrombie, Lily Pond, Jack, Lee, Aurel and Caroline. The daily bag and possession limit is 10 rainbow trout (only 1 may be 20 inches or longer). There is not an annual limit or closed fishing season on stocked rainbow trout. Rainbow trout fishing is catch and release only in road system lakes that are not currently stocked by ADF&G. Check the current sportfishing regulations booklet for an updated list of stocked lakes.
WARNING: Lake ice conditions in winter and early spring can be very deceptive. Because of Kodiak's mild climate, the lake ice can be very thin even late into winter. Be sure to check ice conditions carefully. Fishing can be excellent through the ice but also in open waters and right after ice-out.
Kodiak's Remote Area
Fishing for resident rainbows typically remains productive throughout the winter and early spring in areas supporting sizable populations of fish, such as the Malina, Marka and Afognak rivers. Steelhead fishing can be quite productive during late March and April on sections of the Karluk and Ayakulik rivers if conditions allow. Fishing Kodiak Island for rainbow/steelhead trout is open year round, with an annual limit of no more than 2 fish 20"or longer. All harvested rainbow trout/steelhead 20" or longer must be recorded immediately upon capture on your license or harvest record.