One black rockfish a day in Kodiak and Afognak waters

Anglers around Kodiak and Afognak can keep five rockfish a day through the end of the year, with no more than two of any one species, and of those only one black rockfish and one yelloweye. The department's own example of a legal day: one black, two dusky, two dark. Possession is capped at four of any single species.

The rules cover the waters north of Dangerous Cape and Cape Ikolik, including Raspberry and Shuyak islands, Chiniak, Ugak and Marmot bays, Whale Pass, Kupreanof Strait and Kodiak's west side. They took effect June 1.

Fish and Game says anglers who fished under similar limits last season did better once they changed where and how deep they fished. Black rockfish, normally the most common catch, tend to hold near the top and middle of a rock pile or reef. Dark and dusky rockfish are often off the side of the same structure and deeper. Widow and yellowtail are around too, usually in schools of their own.

Farther north, above Tonki Cape and Black Cape and taking in northern Afognak and Shuyak, the limit is tighter: three rockfish a day, only one of any species. Lingcod there is one a day, two in possession, and must be at least 35 inches.

The Kodiak Fish and Game office is at 907-486-1880.