KODIAK MARINE BOTTOMFISH FISHERIES

The marine waters of the Port Bailey area support a multitude of marine fish stocks. Halibut, rockfish, and lingcod are the species most commonly targeted by anglers. About 75% of the bottomfish effort is expended on fishing for halibut with the remaining effort mostly directed towards rockfish. Most of the halibut and rockfish harvest occurs from late April through early September.

HALIBUT

Halibut are abundant around Kodiak Island, and sport fishing is excellent, especially from late April through early September. Halibut are normally in deeper water (+30 fathoms) during the winter months, then migrate into shallower waters between 15 and 20 fathoms in June and July. Later during August, halibut can by found in waters as shallow as 5 fathoms. Gravel, rock or sand bottoms are preferred. During a typical year sport anglers catch over 25,000 halibut and harvest about 14,000 fish. Most of the halibut caught are in the 35-40 pound range, but fish over 150 pounds are not uncommon. Several fish over 300 pounds are caught each year.

ROCKFISH

Rockfish are very abundant in Kodiak's nearshore marine waters. The preferred habitat of rockfish is rocky reefs, pinnacles and kelp beds. Rockfish are located in depths of 30 fathoms in spring, moving to 10 fathoms in the summer and fall. Their principle diet consists of small fish, shellfish and large plankton. There are over 30 species of rockfish in Alaska, all of which are long-lived and slow to reproduce. The species most commonly caught around Kodiak include black, dusky, and yelloweye. Black and dusky rockfish average about 3-4 pounds, and yelloweye average about 9 pounds. Rockfish are excellent eating, but do not keep well in the freezer and should be consumed within 3 or 4 months. The average rockfish catch in the Kodiak area is 25,000 fish, of which about 7,000 are harvested.

LINGCOD

Lingcod are large fish with ferocious faces and big teeth, but are also excellent eating. Lingcod are also long-lived and slow to reproduce. The males are very aggressive, especially when guarding egg nests. Spawning usually takes place in winter with males guarding nests during the spring/early summer. Jigging and bait are effective ways to catch lingcod. The average-sized lingcod harvested in Kodiak is 3 feet long and weighs about 20 pounds. The state record is 70 pounds, and a fish must be at least 45 pounds to qualify for a trophy certificate from the state. The number caught by sport anglers in the Kodiak Area averages 5,000 fish annually, of which 1,500 are harvested.

DOLLY VARDEN

Dolly Varden are available to anglers year round. Peak fishing opportunities typically occur in May, as many fish return to saltwater after overwintering and spawning in drainages, especially the Litnik River. Again from mid-July through October, the period when dollies return to these areas. The best fishing for dollies occurs in June and July. During the spring fishery numerous dollies congregate in saltwater just offshore from stream mouths to feed on outmigrant pink salmon fry. Spawning begins in September and continues into November.

PINK SALMON

Pink salmon return to the area from July through late August. Pinks can be taken along ocean beaches near stream mouths. Peak immigration usually occurs during the second week of August, and most spawning occurs in streams from late August through late September.

SOCKEYE SALMON

Adult sockeye salmon return from June through August with peak immigration varying somewhat by location. Sockeye salmon generally spawn between mid August and late September.

COHO SALMON

Coho salmon return from late July through September. Saltwater trolling for coho typically begins during the last week in July as schools of adult fish begin moving nearshore toward natal streams. Silvers are abundant by mid-August and usually peak between the last days in August to the first week of September.

CHINOOK SALMON

Chinook salmon fishing in saltwater is available year round.

STEELHEAD/RAINBOW TROUT

Returns of adult steelhead annually occur between late September and mid-November. The best steelhead fishing typically occurs from mid to late October. After overwintering in lakes or deep water river pools, mating pairs of fish generally spawn in April and May.