Fishing in Kodiak

Kodiak, or Qikertaq in the Alutiq language, often nicknamed "Alaska’s Emerald Isle," lies off the south coast of Alaska, and is the second largest island in the United States. The biggest settlement, the town of Kodiak, has a population of only about six thousand people, with about as many more scattered around other communities. So most of the island is a wilderness, home of the animals crowned by the iconic giant Kodiak bear, and of course the fish. Crystal-clear streams, and cold, nutrient-rich seas create prime habitat for salmon, halibut, trout, and more, attracting thousands of outdoor enthusiasts each year. Fishing isn’t just a pastime here—it’s part of the culture. The climate is mild by Alaskan standards, with temperatures on the coast fluctuating one or two grades above and below the freezing point in winter, and only a bit higher than that in summer, so inshore and offshore fishing is possible year round. But of course the high season is in the summer, during the famous salmon runs, that begin with sockeye in mid-May and close with coho in late August.

Kodiak’s waters are rich and varied. Inshore, travellers explore tidal estuaries or cast from remote beaches for salmon species like silver and pink. In the deeper seas, boats drift for halibut, Pacific cod, rockfish, lingcod, and sea bass over structured reefs and banks. Upstream, rivers such as the Karluk and Ayakulik carve through pristine backcountry refuges and support all five species of Pacific salmon, along with steelhead, rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, and Arctic char.

The waters on and around Kodiak can’t boast several hundred species like some tropical locations, but they more than make up for that in quality. The giant halibut alone, which can attain over 650 lb (300 kg) in weight, is a royal catch, and the deep sea around the island is also home to rockfish and lingcod. And of course there is salmon. Rivers and estuaries host runs of sockeye, coho, pink, chum, and Chinook salmon, along with trout, Dolly Varden, and steelhead. Salmon runs in the backcountry of Kodiak need no introduction

Anglers targeting halibut, lingcod, and rockfish rely on bottom jigging and bait rigs deployed over offshore ledges. To catch salmon offshore, the charter captains draw from spread trolling and mooching methods using flashers, spoons, or herring baits. In rivers, fly fishing or light spinning gear works for trout and salmon, while steelhead and Dolly Varden respond well to nymphs and small spinners. The biggest challenge of fishing on Kodiak may be, however, not in catching fish, but in dealing with numerous risk factors of this remote region, from rough and unforgiving Bering Sea to giant bears, that don’t always ignore humans who compete for salmon with them. Here having a professional captain or guide along is invaluable.