Kodiak
RSSKodiak's Easiest Sockeye River Shuts Down
Kodiak's road-system sockeye river is closing on a dismal 988-fish count — while Litnik, just across the island, is cruising past 15,000.

Kodiak's Adjust Your Altitude summit challenge begins June 15
Discover Kodiak opens registration June 15 for Adjust Your Altitude, a five dollar summit challenge running through Sept. 1 that sends hikers to seven Kodiak peaks with over two thousand dollars in prizes.

Coast Guard seeks contractor for Kodiak rescue aircraft life-support gear
Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak is hiring a contractor to maintain life-support gear on rescue aircraft serving Alaska's deadliest fisheries, with proposals due June 29.

Coast Guard to station three icebreakers in Kodiak, Seward
The Coast Guard will station two Arctic Security Cutters in Kodiak and one in Seward once infrastructure is built, adding a fourth icebreaker to Alaska's fleet with first delivery expected in 2028.

Iron Dog expands route to Huslia, Shungnak, Ambler after federal reversal
Vroom, vroom

Kodiak planners advance Karluk water system overhaul
Kodiak Island Borough planners advanced a conditional use permit to replace Karluk's entire water treatment system, which would provide year-round potable water to the Alaska Native village.

Kodiak prepares for 2,578 cruise passengers in one week
Two cruise ships will bring 2,578 passengers to Kodiak in late June, with Crystal Symphony docking June 21 and Noordam on June 23, each staying nine hours while local tourism organizes downtown welcome events and vendor markets.

ADF&G opens six Kodiak sections to commercial fishing, bans large Chinook retention
Alaska Department of Fish and Game opened six Kodiak commercial salmon sections to purse seine fishing June 9 but banned retention of Chinook salmon 28 inches or larger, citing low king salmon runs in the Karluk and Ayakulik river systems.

Kodiak king salmon bag limit cut to one fish as Karluk runs collapse
Alaska cut Kodiak king salmon bag limit to one fish per day and closed west side salt waters through June after only 93 kings returned to Karluk River in 2025, far below recovery targets.

Kodiak Lands Committee directs staff to study housing development at youth baseball field
Kodiak Island Borough Lands Committee directed staff to study converting the 16-acre Killarney Hills youth baseball field into at least 30 residential lots to address housing shortages.

Kodiak Lands Committee directs staff to study housing development on youth baseball field
Kodiak Island Borough Lands Committee directed staff to study converting the 16-acre Killarney Hills youth baseball field into at least 30 residential lots to address housing needs.

DOT&PF cuts Chiniak Highway to 50 percent axle load during fishing season
Alaska DOT&PF cut Chiniak Highway to 50 percent axle load from milepost 20.1 to 33.39 effective May 27 to protect pavement during spring thaw and fishing season truck traffic on Kodiak Island.
Kodiak Borough advances FY27 budget with 8.91 mill rate to hearing
Kodiak Borough Assembly voted unanimously Wednesday to hold the property tax rate at 8.91 mills, a decision that keeps the rate flat but will result in higher tax bills for most homeowners as assessed property values increase.

Teen dies after vehicle goes into lake near Pasagshak
A 17-year-old boy died Monday after his vehicle went into Lake Rose Tead near Pasagshak on Kodiak Island. He was trapped under the vehicle in water and mud when troopers arrived.

Wasilla pair sentenced for illegal Kodiak guiding operation
Two Wasilla men sentenced for running unlicensed hunting guide business near Kodiak that led to illegal deer and bear kills. Theodore Turgeon got six months prison and $20,000 fine, Charles Emmi got four years probation and $30,000 fine. Both banned from hunting and guiding work during supervision and must forfeit nearly $15,000 each.
Karluk River king salmon collapse triggers emergency fishing closures
Alaska closed king salmon fishing on Kodiak Island's westside through June 30 after Karluk River returns hit historic lows with only 93 fish last season. • River drainages stay closed through July 25 with strict gear limits and island-wide daily bag limit cut to one fish. • Commercial fishing also faces early-season closures as returns expected to remain critically low through early July.

Kodiak Island Borough Assembly approves $13.8M for schools, $836K below district request
Assembly approved 13.7 million dollars for schools, 836 thousand less than requested. • District already cut 2.7 million and warned more cuts mean losing aides, nurses, and counselors. • Federal COVID aid and education grants have ended, leaving borough to fill the gap. • State funding unlikely to improve until Alaska depletes its constitutional budget reserve.

Kodiak Assembly weighs $800,000 school funding compromise
Kodiak Assembly proposed $800,000 school funding using one-time earnings instead of raising property taxes. • School district faces rising costs while state funding has stalled since 2011. • District is depleting reserves and full funding would cut building repairs and hospital upgrades. • Assembly split on using temporary money for ongoing costs.

Kodiak residents defend auditorium position as school budget vote nears
Kodiak residents urged the assembly to fund the auditorium technical director or risk losing a key community facility. • The 700-seat auditorium hosts school shows and touring acts but has only one staff member. • Assembly members explored moving the position to the borough budget instead of school budget. • The school district is requesting $1.6 million more in local funding for fiscal year 2027.

Commission approves subdivision, rezone for Native Village of Ouzinkie tsunami shelter
Kodiak Island Borough Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a subdivision and rezone allowing the Native Village of Ouzinkie to take ownership of land holding a tsunami shelter.

Kodiak drill conductor course trains mariners to lead safety drills
Alaska Marine Safety Education Association offers a two-day Fishing Vessel Drill Conductor Course in Kodiak on May 27-28 to train commercial fishermen as certified safety leaders who can lead emergency drills and meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements.

Chiniak Highway hit with 50% weight limit, toughest in Kodiak area
A six-mile section of Chiniak Highway faces a 50% weight restriction starting May 15, 2026, the most severe seasonal limit in the Kodiak road system.
Karluk River Chinook Collapse Triggers First Subsistence Closure
Alaska Department of Fish and Game closed Karluk River subsistence Chinook salmon fishing through December 2026 after escapement fell to 93 fish in 2025, 98 percent below the 3,000 to 6,000 fish goal.
Aurora Borealis Lights Up Kodiak and Interior Alaska Skies
Residents in Kodiak and Interior Alaska reported seeing a vibrant aurora borealis display on the evening of April 18, 2026, sharing photos and videos of the event that occurred during the current solar maximum period.
Fish and Game closes Malina Bay herring fishery for season
Alaska Department of Fish and Game closed the Malina Bay herring fishery in the North Afognak District on April 29, 2026, for the remainder of the sac roe season.
Kodiak Borough Lands Committee develops framework to streamline land disposal
The Kodiak Island Borough Lands Committee is creating standardized principles and screening criteria to make land disposal decisions more transparent and efficient, addressing workforce housing needs while protecting public interests.

Borough proposes $580K budget with new staff, building upgrades
The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly reviewed the FY 2027 budget proposal, which includes adding a construction management position, transitioning to electric heating, and planning ADA accessibility improvements to the borough building entrance.

Kodiak Trooper Uses Surfboard to Rescue Teen from Island Lake Ice
Alaska State Trooper Anthony Will used a surfboard to rescue a hypothermic teenager who fell through thin ice on Kodiak's Island Lake on April 25, with Sergeant Nathan Walsh towing them to shore where fire department personnel provided medical care.