Fishing the Emerald Isle
Kodiak and surrounding eco-systems support a wide variety of fish species. They are: Chinook Salmon called Kings-Sockeye called Reds- Pinks called Humpies- Coho called Silvers- Chum called Dogs-and other popular catches are: rainbow and steelhead trout, dolly varden/arctic char, halibut, bass, cod, and many other species of rock fish.
Our Fishing History
Over 7,000 years ago the Alutiiq people used bone fishhooks and stone sinkers to catch cod, halibut and other rock fish.
About 3,800 years ago, the Alutiiq people started to harvest larger quantities of salmon with nets. They became more efficient and started to use advance storage mechanisms.
In 1400 AD they began to build traps and special salmon harpoons.
Today, Kodiak is the states largest fishing port supporting the commercial fishing industry, subsistence catch, and local charter boats.
Kodiak’s fisheries is designated “certified sustainable”, by the United Nations.
Resources: Alutiiq Museum website, Alaska Department of Fish and Game website, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge website, Book: Alaska's Konyag Country, Picture of Fishing Vessel By Barbara Bundy; Photo of fisherman with salmon by the Chadwick Afognak Digital Image Collection, Courtesy of the Alutiiq Museum; and Fisherman on Beach By Gloria Selby.
Check out the different types of fishing vessels from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
The United States Coast Guard
We have the largest operating Coast Guard station in the United States. It was established in 1972, but began operations out of Kodiak in 1947. There are nearly 1,000 active duty personnel stationed in Kodiak, that are dedicated to keeping our marine safety, communications, navigational support, training, patrol and rescue operations throughout Alaska. The 2006 film, The Guardian, featured the Kodiak US Coast Guard Base, and references are made from The Deadliest Catch on the Discovery Channel.