Kings Hold On as Silvers Arrive in Larsen Bay 

August 14, 2026

August is when Larsen Bay’s saltwater fishing earns its reputation. Thousands of coho move into the area starting this month, and saltwater silver fishing typically runs from August through early October. Both king and silver salmon can be found together in Larsen Bay’s bays this time of year, giving anglers a shot at a mixed bag on any given outing.

Halibut fishing remained a highlight through the first half of August, with Larsen Bay’s proximity to deep water meaning short runs and more time with lines in. Lingcod stayed productive on the outer reefs as well, rounding out a stretch where anglers could realistically target several species without leaving the bay.

The island-wide king salmon bag limit remains at 1 fish per day with no annual limit for the 2026 season, so anglers keeping a king should plan around that limit even as the coho run takes center stage in the saltwater.

Lingcod, Kings and Halibut Carry the End of July

July 26, 2026

Lingcod and halibut continued to carry most of the saltwater action through the final days of July, with reef structure around Uyak Bay producing well. Saltwater silvers typically begin showing up in August, so this window served as the calm before that arrival, with guides and anglers alike watching the calendar and working the same productive halibut and lingcod grounds close to the bay.

Lingcod fishing was excellent, with the July 1 opener putting westside reefs back in play right as this window began. Halibut fishing stayed convenient and productive close to Larsen Bay itself, since the grounds sit just minutes from the village rather than requiring a long run out.

King salmon fishing in the saltwater held steady through mid-July, with the island-wide bag limit set at 1 fish per day and no annual limit for the 2026 season, in line with the rest of the Gulf of Alaska. Silver salmon havn’t arrived in numbers yet, but with cohos typically starting to build offshore in August, anticipation was rising by the end of this window.

Lingcod and Kings Bring the Full Lineup Back in July

July 15, 2026

Alright folks, this is the stretch we wait all spring for. July 1 flipped two big switches out here in Uyak Bay. Lingcod season opened. The westside king salmon closure lifted too, so kings are back on the menu alongside everything else. We’re stoked to have the full lineup available again.

Halibut Holding Close to Home

Halibut have been holding steady in our protected, close-to-shore waters. That’s one of the best things about fishing out of Larsen Bay. You don’t need to run for hours to find fish. Most of our halibut are coming from 80 to 150 feet right off the doorstep. The average fish still runs in that solid 40 pound range, but we’re seeing enough bigger fish mixed in to keep things interesting. Remember, the daily bag limit for guided anglers in Area 3A is two halibut. One can be any size, but the second must be 27 inches or less. Wednesdays are closed to retention, so plan your week accordingly.

Lingcod Steps In, Rockfish Fill the Box

Lingcod are the new excitement on the block. These odd looking, hard fighting bottomfish give guests something fresh to target. Early season action has been strong on the rockpiles and reefs around the bay. Rockfish continue to fill out the boxes too. Remember the current rule: five rockfish per day, but only two of any single species. That limit allows just one black rockfish and one yelloweye. Get to know your species before you fish. Widow, dusky, dark, and silvergray rockfish are all part of the mix out here, and knowing the difference keeps you legal and keeps the box varied.

Kings Stage for the Rivers

With the westside king closure behind us, expect to see kings show up in the saltwater again. These fish stage before heading into the Karluk and Ayakulik systems. Numbers have run thin the past couple seasons, so we’re keeping an eye on things and fishing these runs with the respect they deserve. Every king counts right now, both for anglers chasing that trophy fish and for the rivers that need them.

Halibut Comes On Strong While Rockfish Rules Shift in June

June 30, 2026

June out here is a month of patience paying off. The westside closure protecting king salmon headed for the Karluk and Ayakulik Rivers stayed in effect through the end of the month. Saltwater king fishing around Larsen Bay remained closed. It’s not the news anyone loves to hear, but those river systems have had a rough couple of years. Giving those fish a clear shot home is the right call for the long game.

Halibut Heat Up, Cod Hold Steady

The good news is there was still plenty to do. Halibut fishing picked up steam as the water warmed and the reefs settled into a more predictable pattern after a cool spring. We found solid numbers in our usual close-in spots. Fish held a little deeper than average some days, but still well within easy reach of the boat. Pacific cod stayed dependable pretty much everywhere we looked, a great option for a fast fish fry and a fun change of pace between halibut bites.

New Rules, More Rockfish Variety

June 1 brought new rockfish regulations to our waters here on the westside of Kodiak. The daily bag limit sits at five rockfish, but only two can be of a single species. The limit tightens further to just one black rockfish and one yelloweye per angler per day. It sounds like a lot to track, but once you get a feel for it, it actually pushes you toward a more varied and honestly more interesting box of fish. Widow and yellowtail rockfish showed up in their own tight schools, separate from the usual black rockfish crowd, so don’t be afraid to work different depths and structure through the day.

By the back half of June, anticipation was building fast for July 1. Between the lingcod opener and the westside king closure lifting, everyone out here could feel the season about to kick into another gear.

Halibut Carry Spring Fishing in May

May 29, 2026

May is where the Larsen Bay season really wakes up. Boats come out of storage, reels get spooled fresh, and anglers start dialing in on halibut over the deep reefs while the seas are still relatively calm and cooperative. It’s a good, steady start to the year, even with a cooler than usual spring keeping some fish holding a bit deeper than we’re used to.

Westside Closure Protects Kings

Saltwater king salmon fishing on the westside of Kodiak, including our waters here around Larsen Bay, closed to retention starting May 1. That closure stayed in place through the end of June. It exists to protect kings bound for the Karluk and Ayakulik Rivers, two systems that have seen historically low returns the past couple of seasons. It’s a bummer to miss out on kings during prime early season, but it’s a necessary step. The Island-wide bag limit sits at just one king per day everywhere else it’s open this year anyway, so the westside closure is really just an extension of a broader conservation push across the whole management area.

Halibut Carries the Spring

With kings off the table for the month, halibut carried the spring. We found fish deeper than usual, some past 150 feet, as that cold spring pushed them off their normal early season haunts. It made for a bit of a hit and miss month for some boats. Patient anglers who worked the deeper water and stuck with it landed quality fish. Cod, as always, filled in nicely around structure and reef edges for anyone looking to fill a cooler while working out the halibut bite.

Setting the Table for Summer

Rockfish rules still followed last year’s framework through most of May, since the new season specific limits didn’t kick in until June 1. It was a good month to get familiar with your species identification before the tighter regulations arrived. All in all, May set the table for a promising summer. The fish are here, the bay is calm and protected the way it always is, and we’re genuinely stoked for what the rest of the season has in store.