Kodiak salmon fishing extended into Sunday across multiple districts

Kodiak's commercial salmon fleet is fishing the last period of the 2026 season, and when it ends depends on where the boat is. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game extended openings across several districts and sections this week, with closing times a day apart.

Most areas shut at 6 pm Sunday: the Outer Karluk and Outer Ayakulik sections of the Southwest Kodiak District; the Central, North Cape and Inner Uganik sections of the Northwest Kodiak District; the Cape Alitak, Alitak Bay, Moser Bay, Olga Bay and Humpy-Deadman sections of the Alitak District; and the Eastside District.

Boats working most of the Afognak District and the Uyak Bay, Zachar Bay, Spiridon Bay, Terror Bay, Kizhuyak Bay and Sharatin Bay sections of the Northwest Kodiak District close a day earlier, at 6 pm Saturday. The season's overall closing time is 9 pm Sunday, later than most of these areas actually close.

The kings are the reason for a rule that has run all season. Purse seiners have been under Chinook nonretention since the start, meaning any king 28 inches or longer goes back in the water.

The escapement numbers behind that are severe. Last year 93 Chinook made it up the Karluk River, against a goal of 3,000 to 6,000 fish. The Ayakulik River took 444, against a biological escapement goal of 4,800 to 8,400. Earlier this year an emergency order closed both rivers to king salmon fishing outright to protect the stocks; it expired July 25.

The season's forecast was thin to begin with. Fish and Game projected about 12.3 million pink salmon and about 2.05 million sockeye for 2026.