Local Rivers & Streams

What you would expect, when and where.

Buskin River: The Buskin is the closest hot spot for fishing on the Kodiak Road System. In mid-April to late May, Dolly Varden come pouring out of the lake. Sockeye Salmon start to run mid-May to early June and continue 'til well into July. Pink salmon will start to show around mid-July and continue until late August, followed by the Coho which will run from the 1st of September all through October, and even into early November. King Salmon has a small presence in the Buskin, although not enough to merit a fishery.

Sargent Creek/Russian River: Sargent Creek and the Russian River are the next rivers "out the road". You will find a spring run of Dolly Varden, and a fairly substantial Pink Salmon run in July and August, as well as a small Chum and Coho run.

Salonie Creek: Another mile down the road and you will come to Salonie Creek, the same layout as the Russian and Sargent. Dollies in the spring and fall, Pinks, then Coho. A nice river to fish if you like peace and quiet, the runs aren't that big but rest assured you can find yourself a stretch of water where you can fish in peace and quiet.

American River: A few more miles down the road and around to the next bay you will come across the American River. This seems to be a popular spot for most anglers. There is good water for flyfishers in addition to spin and bait. This is one the best Dolly runs on the road system, and a fairly large Pink, Chum, and Coho run. Most of the river is accessible by vehicle. The Saltery River Road runs along most of it before it cuts off into the pass. The lower river, near the mouth, has extremely deep holes where thousands of Pink Salmon hold until the next school shows.

Olds River: And another few miles down the road and yet another bay over is the famous Olds River which supplies us with big runs of Pink, Chum, and Coho Salmon. Some of the bigger Coho taken on the Road System are caught out of this river. The river below the bridge is quite flat terrain, no trees in your way, big deep holes, and lots of fish. Moving upstream you get into more brush, yet fewer fishermen.

Pasagshak River: The Pasagshak has some of the best fishing conditions on the Road System. Towards the mouth fast water for Sockeye fishing, and up at the lake slow-moving water for excellent Coho fishing. Another aspect that makes this river so nice to fish is the lack of Pink Salmon, since Pinks will take just about anything you throw at them. Lake Rose Tead, the water supply of Pasagshak River, is the best still water fishing on the Road System. This is the place that a float tube really shines. The Pasagshak has a huge run of Sockeye Salmon that run from mid-June through the mid-to-late August with the Cohos from September into November.

These calendars represent the availability of a certain species of fish. They do not indicate the fishing seasons, however. For current seasons and regulations, please see the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game Website.

"The two best times
to fish
is when it's rainin'
and when it ain't."

Patrick F. MacManus