Alaska is a land of breathtaking beauty. Home to the majestic Alaska Range, the state boasts 15 national parks (including Denali National Park, Katmai National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Lake Clark National Park). There are another 120 state parks, 16 national wildlife refuges, two national forests, and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. You can see mountains, tundra, fjords, and icebergs — and wildlife is everywhere: bull moose, caribou, polar bears, Dall sheep, and eagles just to name a few.
But if you’re looking for adventure in the real Alaska, you can’t beat Kodiak Island.
Kodiak is the largest island in Alaska and the second largest in the United States. It’s mountainous and heavily forested in the north, but fairly treeless in the south. Though Alaska gets its fair of tourists, very few visitors get to experience the untamed wilderness of Kodiak Island.
Several animal species call our island (and its waters) home. Reindeer, harbor seals, sea lions, brown bears, deer, mountain goats, porpoises, orcas, and sea otters can all be found here.
But we’re sure you’ll want to experience it for yourself! Here’s a quick guide to fishing, hunting, and exploring on beautiful Kodiak Island.
Ready for the best fishing or hunting trip in Alaska? Contact Kodiak Sportsman’s Lodge today and book your trip in advance!
Fish
Kodiak Island is a fisherman’s paradise! The waters around the island are a treasure trove.
There’s Ling Cod, Yellow Eyes, and Black Bass in Kodiak’s waters. But Halibut and Salmon are favorites.
And it’s not uncommon to see a few whales on your fishing boat.
Wild Alaskan halibut can grow to eight feet long and weigh up to 700 pounds. Halibut is highly sought after because of its mild flavor and firm, flaky texture. The high concentration of halibut in the Gulf of Alaska makes Kodiak Island one of the best halibut fishing locations on the planet.
Halibut are available year-round, but the best fishing is in Summer (June through mid-September).
Salmon fishing in Kodiak should be on every fisherman’s bucket list.
King Salmon (Chinook Salmon ) is one of the most prized catches out there due to their massive size, firm texture, and rich flavor. May through June is the “Trophy King” season. 30 to 90-pound kings feed in during this period. And people come to catch the 50-pound plus bright chrome kings.
Silver Salmon (Coho salmon) are fast, aggressive swimmers with a firm, mild, orange flesh. They’re great for canning or grilling. Ten to 22 pound Silver Salmon arrive in early Summer, but peak season is mid-August into September.
Kodiak Sportsman’s Lodge offers complete fishing packages. They include round-trip airfare from Kodiak City to Old Harbor, fishing licenses, fish processing, snacks, meals, and more.
Learn more about our Alaska Fishing Packages.
Hunt
If you’re looking for great hunting, you’ll love Kodiak Island.
Or our favorite – deer. Specifically, Sitka Black Tail deer.
Old Harbor on the south side of Kodiak has one of the largest Sitka Black Tail deer populations in Alaska.
In November, the temperature starts dropping and snow starts falling at higher elevations. The deer move to the lower elevations. Bucks start gathering does and go into rut.
It’s the perfect time for Black Tail Sitka hunting.
We base our hunting expeditions from our Lodge. We’ll take you to your hunting location in the morning, and pick you up after your hunt. You’ll return to the lodge for a hot shower and gourmet meal cooked by our Alaskan chefs.
Learn more about more about our deer hunting packages.
Explore
Kodiak Island may be secluded, but there’s still lots to see and do.
Bear viewing is one of the most popular activities for travelers. Kodiak brown bears are famous for their large size. Thanks to an abundance of local salmon, the bears are healthy and productive, with a current population of 3,500… an all-time high.
The whole family can learn about the big brown bears at the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center. They have fun, educational exhibits and film festivals. There’s also a re-articulated gray whale skeleton.
If hiking is more to your liking, the island has some breathtaking hiking trails. There are trailheads all around the twenty-two lakes and fifteen rivers, accessible from Kodiak’s 100-mile road system.
Or head to Fort Abercrombie State Park where you’ll encounter surf-pounded cliffs, deep spruce forests, and meadows bursting with wildflowers. Explore the remains of a World War II coastal defense station. Be sure to visit Miller Point, where Harbor seals, sea lions, and sea otters frequent the coastline.
Your Adventure Awaits
Whether you’re hunting, fishing, or just exploring Kodiak Sportsman’s Lodge has an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime wildlife adventure for you. Look over our all-inclusive packages and start planning your one of the best trips of your life.
Start your Alaskan Wildlife Adventure today. Contact Kodiak Sportsman’s Lodge to book your trip!