Trout starting to show up in time for sport fishing season in Kodiak

With warmer weather starting to hint at summer in Kodiak, the sport fishing season is beginning to take off.

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Dolly Varden trout are starting to move about. They can usually be found in Buskin Lake, along with the first steelhead trout of the season. Steelhead and rainbow trout are catch and release only, except in lakes that are currently stocked, like Abercrombie Lake, East Twin Lake on Narrow Cape, Dragonfly or Horseshoe Lakes. The full list of stocked lakes is available on the Fish and Game website.

On the saltwater side, ADF&G says king salmon have been hit or miss, but occasionally caught in Kalsin Bay or near Buoy 4. Halibut is slowly picking up, also in Kalsin Bay and near Buoy 4, as well as north of Long Island.

Rockfish bag limits have been reduced for nonresidents. Mostly on the eastern side of Kodiak and Afognak, nonresidents are limited to three pelagic rockfish per day. Residents are still limited to five rockfish, except in Chiniak and Marmot Bays, where the limit is three. The limit for nonpelagic rockfish is two, for all anglers everywhere on the island. Only one of the two can be a yelloweye.

ADF&G is asking all anglers to comply with state health mandates by wearing face coverings while fishing and shopping for gear, and practicing social distancing while fishing.