Area Sport Fishing Reports
Kuskokwim

September 4, 2024

Local Conditions

With water conditions extremely high and turbid the sport fishery and the subsistence rod-and-reel fishery in the Kuskokwim River drainage and the Kuskokwim Bay drainages have been poor. Late August and early September weather patterns may further decrease the water clarity. Late September weather may bring better conditions.

Resident freshwater species

Sheefish

Sheefish are catchable at the mouths of many clearwater rivers such as the Aniak and Holitna Rivers, as well as other clearwater streams near Bethel such as the Kwethluk and Kisaralik. Large colorful spoons and spinners work well for these fish. Initially, high water levels have given way to more average levels and clarity which has contributed to better catchability.

Rainbow trout

Rainbow trout catches are currently reported as relatively poor in both the sport fisheries and the subsistence rod-and-reel fisheries due to high water. These popular fisheries occur in the Kuskokwim Bay rivers - Goodnews, Kanektok, and Arolik, and in the lower Kuskokwim drainages that include the Kisaralik, Kwethluk, Kasigluk, and Aniak. These are popular guided and outfitted fisheries in remote Alaska, with many private businesses that provide excellent services and opportunities.

Dolly Varden

Dolly Varden catches have been reported to be spotty to poor in many Kuskokwim River tributaries. Many locals have cited the low chum numbers as possibly responsible for Dolly Varden behavior patterns as they adjust to other food sources.

Northern pike

Northern pike fishing has been excellent throughout the summer but has decreased with high water conditions. Any clearwater mouth or connected slough complex along the mainstem Kuskokwim River affords excellent fishing. Anything that imitates prey and attracts attention will work. Crocodiles and larges spoons work anytime, and topwater lures such as jitterbugs and large fly patterns work best in late evening under the Midnight Sun when the large pike will lurk in the warm surface waters.

Salmon

Sport fishing for king salmon has been closed in the Kuskokwim River drainage, and closed by regulation on July 26 in the Kuskokwim Bay streams (Kanektok, Goodnews, and Arolik Rivers). Sport fishing for king salmon in the Kuskokwim Drainage will remain closed for this season due to poor expected escapement numbers and extensive subsistence fishery closures. Catches of king salmon in the Kanektok and Goodnews Rivers were reported to have been good.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service (Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge) has closed the harvest of king, chum and coho salmon to people who are not residents of the Kuskokwim River (but not currently the Kuskokwim Bay Rivers). Please contact their office at Bethel, at phone number (907) 543-3151, or visit their website at Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge for more information.

Emergency Orders

Please review the Emergency Orders and Advisory Announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip:

• Emergency Order 3-KS-V-02-24 closes the Kuskokwim River drainage to sport fishing for king salmon.

ADF&G News

You can purchase licenses through the ADF&G online store and print it off at home. Make sure to review emergency orders, advisory announcements, and the 2024 Northern Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary Booklet for the area you are fishing before you head out.For more information, please call the Kuskokwim-Goodnews Area Manager John Chythlook at (907) 459-7361.