Kodiak About Kodiak Kodiak Island Is a Part of an Archipelago of Islands That Includes Afognak Island, Shuyak Island, and 20 Smaller Islands
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Southcentral Region Alaska Department of Fish and Game Southcentral Alaska Division of Sport Fish Recreational Fishing Series Kodiak About Kodiak Kodiak Island is a part of an archipelago of islands that includes Afognak Island, Shuyak Island, and 20 smaller islands. The island is the second-largest in the United States, with the big island of Hawaii the only larger island. The Ko- diak National Wildlife Refuge covers 2/3 of Kodiak Island. The State of Alaska, various Alaska Native corporations, and private individuals own the remainder. The City of Kodiak is 250 air miles southwest of Anchor- age. Two airlines, Alaska Airlines (1-800-252-7522) and ERA Airlines (1-800-866-8394), have daily fl ights from Anchorage (depending on weather). The Alaska Marine Highway system offers a passenger and vehicle ferry from Homer and Seward to Kodiak four times a week during the A Kodiak Island king salmon. fi shing season (1-800-642-0066). About 11,000 people live along the Kodiak Road System, also includes all salt waters bordering the Road System and 14,000 visitors arrive every year. Available services within one mile of Spruce and Kodiak islands. include 70 charter operators, 33 remote lodges, 6 air taxis, Regulations on the Road System differ slightly from 12 state and federal public use cabins, 10 private remote the Remote Area, so check the Kodiak regulation book cabins for rent, 5 hotels and motels, 30 bed and breakfasts, carefully. 4 sporting good stores, as well as all the other amenities There are 70 miles of paved and hard-packed gravel usually found in a community this size. roads that cross 10 signifi cant streams and provide access to Kodiak offers excellent fi shing for fi ve species of Pacifi c over 20 stocked lakes. Another 13-mile gravel road requires salmon (king, red, silver, dog, and pink) halibut, rockfi sh, 4-wheel-drive or all-terrain vehicle. lingcod, Dolly Varden, and both steelhead and rainbow Road System anglers can fi nd salmon, Dolly Varden, trout. rainbow trout and steelhead. Major waterways include the Buskin, Saltery, Pasagshak, Olds and American rivers, and “Road System” and “Remote Area” Roslyn, Salonie, Monashka, Pillar and Chiniak creeks. overview Anglers will fi nd the Road System streams a delight—no Road System fishing raging currents or 50-yard casts, just clear riffl es alternat- The Kodiak Road System is defi ned as all fresh waters ing with deep pools and gravel bars. Many streams have of Kodiak Island east of a line from Crag Point south to the steep, brushy banks. westernmost point of Saltery Cove, including the fresh wa- Hip boots or chest waders with felted soles are highly ters of Woody, Long, and Spruce islands. The Road System desirable. Upstream of low-lying coastal areas, most Road System rivers are braided, fast-fl owing and shallow, mak- ing them unsuitable for rafts, canoes, or other watercraft. However, a number of road-accessible lakes are well-suited For opening dates, daily limits, regulations, for small boats and personal watercraft. Lake Rose Tead, and special tackle restrictions, consult the which borders the Pasagshak State Recreation Area, is Kodiak Island regulation booklet. popular with anglers who have small boats and fl oat tubes, as are Buskin Lake and Kalsin Pond. The Kodiak Archipelago and The Kodiak Road Zone also includes all salt the Road Zone fisheries waters within 1 mile of Kodiak Island following the shoreline from Crag Point to Saltery Cove, AND all salt waters within one mile of shore following the shoreline of Woody Island, Long Island, and Spruce Island. This map is for informational purposes only, and is not to scale. Consult the United States Geological Survey for topographical maps (http://store.usgs.gov) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for nautical charts and navigation information (http://chartmaker.ncd.noaa.gov). The Alaska Department of Fish and Game administers all programs and activities free from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, or disability. The department administers all programs and activities in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility, or if you desire further information These opportunities please write to ADF&G, P.O. Box 15526, Juneau, AK 99811-5526; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Drive, funded in part by Federal Suite 300 Webb, Arlington, VA 22203; or O.E.O., U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington DC 20240. Aid in Sport Fish and For information on alternative formats for this and other department publications, please contact the department ADA Wildlife Restoration. Coordinator at (voice) 907-465-6077, (TDD) 1-800-478-3648, or (FAX) 907-465-6078. Fishing Kodiak’s Remote Area Avg. Avg. Avg. Avg. Kodiak Remote Area (anything outside the Road System) E high F° low F° high C° precip provides excellent opportunities for salmon, Dolly Varden, Jan 35.0 24.7 1.7 7.4” and fall-run steelhead trout. Many Remote Area drainages Feb 36.1 24.9 2.3 5.3” are larger than those within the Road System, with greater Mar 38.9 26.9 3.8 4.6” stream fl ow and lesser brush and debris, making them better Apr 43.7 31.4 6.5 4.2” suited for watercraft access. May 49.5 37.5 9.7 5.5” The earliest Remote Area salmon begin to return in early Jun 55.6 43.6 13.1 4.8” June. Few (if any) remote guiding services are in operation Jul 60.5 48.2 15.8 3.7” before this time. Remote areas are served by small aircraft Aug 61.9 48.4 16.6 5.2” and charter boats. Most anglers book an aircraft charter Sept 56.6 43.4 13.7 7.0” or arrange air travel with their lodge or guide service. Oct 47.2 34.2 8.4 7.2” Transportation and lodging arrangements for Remote Area Nov 39.9 28.8 4.4 8.75” angling should be made at least six months to one year in Dec 36.4 25.2 2.4 6.8” advance. King salmon anglers will need to purchase a special Planning your Kodiak fishing trip king salmon stamp in addition to their fi shing license, and Fishing gear record the date, location and number of king salmon har- In general, saltwater fi shing for king salmon and halibut vested from fresh waters. Check the regulation booklet for requires specialized, heavy tackle. Most saltwater sport specifi c requirements. fi shing charter boat operators and guides provide clients Saltwater trolling with all necessary fi shing and safety gear. Troll fi shing Kodiak’s marine waters for king and silver See the descriptions under each species for freshwater (coho) salmon has recently increased in popularity. Much tackle suggestions. trolling effort occurs in Chiniak Bay, a feeding area for Weather kings. Kings are present year-round, but harvested mostly Weather can range from mild and sunny to cold and between April and October. Feeder kings average around rainy, with snow possible during all months except July 20 pounds, although fi sh weighing as much as 70 pounds and August. Autumn weather is typically cool and very are occasionally taken. wet. It’s always windy. Summertime rainfall averages about Best-known fi shing spots along the Road System are 4-6 inches per month and temperatures can range from the Cape Chiniak and Buoy 4. In the last three years, the esti- low 40’s to low 70’s (Fahrenheit). Layered long-sleeved mated annual Road System king salmon harvest has ranged and long-legged clothing, including wool or polypropylene between 6,000 and 8,000 fi sh. fl eece, and waterproof rain gear are necessary. Summer Fishing for kings in Kodiak’s Remote Area fresh waters temperatures can remain warm for extended periods, but The Karluk and Ayakulik rivers support the only fresh- high winds, cooler temperatures and rain are not uncom- water native king salmon fi sheries on Kodiak. Both drain- mon. ages are located on the southwest end of Kodiak Island, Shorts and short sleeves generally are not recommended, approximately one hour by air from the city of Kodiak. since there are biting insects in many areas. Insect repellent Fish average 20-25 pounds, and kings over 35 pounds rare. and/or mosquito netting should be packed for all fi shing The Karluk River annually averages an inriver run of 8,000 trips. kings, while the Ayakulik River averages 14,000. King salmon Peak run timing on both rivers is about June 15. By June 1, only 5% of the run has entered the river, and the run Anglers targeting king salmon, also called Chinook, typically is 90% over by July 1. After that, fi shing can be may troll in saltwater, fi sh the Monashka and Pillar creeks good up to about July 10, after which most fi sh have fully beaches in Monashka Bay, or visit one of two Remote entered their spawning life stage. Area fi sheries. In 1999 a king salmon stocking project was These two rivers close to fi shing for king salmon on July initiated on the Kodiak Road System with the objective of 26 to protect spawning fi sh. In the Karluk, king salmon establishing saltwater and freshwater recreational fi sheries.