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Sport Fishing
Kodiak Refuge attracts sport anglers from around the world. The refuge supports a large diverse fishery which annually contributes to a multi-million dollar commercial fishery, provides for subsistence use of four Native villages adjacent to the refuge, and supports one of the few steelhead sport fisheries on an Alaskan refuge. In addition, this fishery resource sustains one of the highest densities of brown bear and bald eagle populations in the world.
There are about 117 salmon streams, 14 major watersheds, and 11 large lakes on the refuge that support self sustaining populations of anadromous or resident fish species in the refuge. Drainages range in size from 236 to less than 1 square mile in area. Those located on the southwest portion of the refuge (the Kodiak Refugium, the only glacier-free area on the archipelago) provide one of the highest diversities of freshwater habitat and species abundance per-unit area found anywhere in Alaska or the Pacific Northwest.
Six species of Pacific salmon (Chinook, chum, coho, pink, sockeye, steelhead), rainbow trout, and Dolly Varden and arctic char occur on the refuge. Salmon spawn, decaying carcasses, and excrement from fish-feeding animals fertilize streams, lakes, and adjacent uplands. A few non-game fish species occur throughout refuge inland waters. Although most of these species are of little sport, commercial or subsistence interest, they are important elements of biodiversity and sources of food for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife.
Fishing the Karluk River and Karluk Lake requires a refuge permit. To obtains a permit please connect at http://alaska.fwes.gov/KarlukRiverApp/
Chinook (King Salmon). Chinook salmon are a recreational anglers dream due to their strength and size. Karluk River and Akulura / Red and the Dog Salmon River drainages. Kodiak Refuge is known for some of the greatest king salmon fishing world wide. Chinook start entering river systems in late May with runs usually peaking during mid-June. Preliminary data from recent studies have shown populations of Chinook in the Karluk and Ayakulik Rivers may be genetically distinct, both between and within drainages. Spawning takes place in July and August, with adults selecting medium to large gravels in mainstream river areas and some tributaries. Chinook fry emerge from the gravel in the spring and may remain in freshwater three months to two years. Chinook smolts enter the ocean and spend two to four years at sea prior to returning to freshwater streams to spawn.
Pink Salmon (Humpy). The pink salmon is the second key commercial species on the refuge. The size of the pink returning to each drainage varies depending upon even or odd year strength of the individual stock. The even year cycle dominates total refuge returns with the largest spawning populations occurring in Ayakulik and Karluk drainages. Spawning typically occurs from the intertidal waters upstream to headwater areas. Returning pinks arrive in large numbers by mid-July and are abundant through mid-August. Spawning can occur through the end of September in some streams. Eggs develop in the gravel during the winter and emergence usually occurs in April and May when fry move immediately downstream to saltwater. They spend the next one to 1.5 years maturing at age two they return to spawn.
Chum (Dog Salmon). Chum salmon are the third most abundant salmon species occurring on the refuge. Chum salmon returning to the Sturgeon River in early June comprise one of the earliest and most important runs for brown bear on the refuge. Throughout Kodiak, returning chums arrive in large numbers by mid-July and are abundant through mid-August. Spawning typically occurs from intertidal waters upstream to headwater areas, and can occur through the end of September in some streams. Eggs develop in the gravel during the winter and emergence usually occurs in April and May when fry move immediately downstream to saltwater. There they spend up to four years maturing and at age five return to spawn.
Coho (Silver Salmon). Coho salmon normally return to river systems from mid-August through late October, with numbers peaking in the last half of September. Coho may be present in some systems on Kodiak through December. Spawning habitat is usually small to medium size gravel at the head of riffles in shallow tributaries and narrow channels, but some coho also select mainstream areas for spawning. Coho fry emerge from the gravel in late spring and spend one to three years in freshwater before migrating to the sea as smolts in May to mid-July. Coho mature at sea after one to two years and return to their natal streams to spawn.
Sockeye (Red Salmon). The commercial value and economic importance of sockeye make it an highly important fish species on the refuge. Sockeye normally start entering refuge freshwater systems in late may and are abundant mid-June through September. Some populations may continue spawning into late October. Spawning habitats consist of gravel-bottomed streams and lake beaches. Sockeye fry emerge from the gravel in late spring (March to June) and migrate to lakes, where they remain for one to three years feeding mainly on zooplankton. Sockeye smolt migrate to saltwater late May through mid-July peaking in June. They spend two to three years in the northern Pacific Ocean before returning to their natal streams to spawn. Sockeye in the Karluk, Upper Station and Akulura drainages support both early and late run fish.
Steelhead and Rainbow Trout. Major populations of native steelhead occur on the Karluk and Ayakulik drainages. Steelhead production in these rivers is one of the highest in Alaska. Other systems where steelhead are present include Dog Salmon, Sturgeon, Uganik, Upper Station, Akulura and Little River drainages. Recent studies have shown the populations of steelhead in the Karluk, Ayakulik and Sturgeon Rivers are genetically distinct. Adult steelhead normally enter freshwater systems between August and January peak migration periods are unknown. Spawning usually occurs late April through May in riffle areas with small gravel substrate. After spawning, steelhead adults return to the ocean. Steelhead fry emerge from the gravel in late summer and may spend one-to-four years in freshwater prior to migrating to the sea as smolts. Ocean residence for steelhead ranges two to three years: some fish may return to spawn up to three times. The distribution of rainbow trout is nearly identical to that utilized by steelhead. The major rainbow trout areas are the Dog Salmon, Upper Station, Little River, Karluk, Ayakulik and Uganik drainages.
Dolly Varden and Arctic Char. The refuge supports anadromous and resident populations of Dolly Varden. This is the most widely distributed sport fish on the refuge. Dolly Varden are fall spawners, returning to streams from midsummer through late fall. Spawning occurs between September and the end of December. After spawning, anadromous Dolly Varden seek lake and river systems in which to overwinter. Dolly Varden returns to natal streams to spawn. Kodiak Refuge lakes known to be important Dolly Varden for over-wintering include Uganik, Little River, Ayakulik, Karluk, Akulura, and Upper Station lakes. Dolly Varden fry emerge in the spring and remain in the streams for three to four years before migrating to sea. They may remain at sea only six to eight weeks before returning to freshwater lakes for over-wintering.
Little is known about Arctic Char. We do know there is a population in the Karluk Lake and that these char are not anadromous. A population estimate study was initiated in Karluk Lake in the summer of 2001 and it is expected to run through 2006.
