"Landing Salmon at Their First Landfall" Pasagshak State Recreation Site by mrclay2000

Pasagshak State Recreation Site Travel Guide: 44 reviews and 63 photos

Pasagshak River leading into the eponymous bay

Sportsman's Paradise

Pasagshak State Recreation Area is a popular place for Kodiak residents and non-residents alike. Even people who don't like to fish or don't own fishing gear enjoy the relative solitude of this popular place, mainly because Pasagshak is the farthest point one can retreat from town still using the island's unpaved highway system. For the actual fisherman, Pasagshak is an easy mark and a commonly successful fishing spot where in the right season each cast invites an almost perfect chance to land a salmon. Kodiak Island is prime spawning ground for most varieties of Alaska's salmon, but limits are imposed on the fishermen. Two reds (sockeyes) daily, two silvers (cohos) daily, two chum salmon (daily), or up to five pink salmon daily, but no more than five salmon in any one day. If all the island's residents caught the daily limit of these game fish, the river and lake systems would lose over 60,000 fish per diem.

A visit to Pasagshak is recommended for anyone who likes the out of doors, and for those who don't fish, just watching the fishermen is an exciting activity, since Alaskan salmon are a little bigger than your childhood blue gills.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Easy to reach, loaded with fish, kingfishers and bald eagles
Cons:Breezy, part of the migration path of the island's buffaloes
In a nutshell:If you don't dare fish in the backcountry, a great alternative!

Intro Written Sep 6, 2003
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Reviews (11)

Fossil Beach and purple lupine - Pasagshak State Recreation Site

Ruins in the Dunes Off The Beaten Path (2)

Beyond the Pasagshak Recreation Area at the limit of the road is the so-called Fossil Beach, where old shells can often... more travel advice

homestead, the former hangar of the airstrip - Pasagshak State Recreation Site

One of a Dozen Homes Favorites (4)

A small enclave exists adjacent to Pasagshak State Park that requires a $5,000 investment from each owner in a small... more travel advice

the Kodiak way of building a fire - Pasagshak State Recreation Site

Firestarter Local Customs (2)

When I saw this practice in operation, I was first astonished, then disillusioned and ultimately in denial. Without... more travel advice

sockeye salmon as long as the arm - Pasagshak State Recreation Site

Showing Off Your Catch Sports & Outdoors (2)

The proper method for displaying your catch is to outstretch your arm with your fish closest to the camera lens. This... more travel advice

Things to Do (1)
Where the River Meets the Bay

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Comments (11)

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nickandchris Jan 26, 2008 at 6:03 AM

Must be wonderful to have salmon in abundance. Beautiful scenery. What about the mozzies?
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iandsmith May 31, 2004 at 7:05 PM

Very interesting, very informative. Then again, we wouldn't expect anything less!
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richiecdisc Nov 8, 2003 at 10:43 AM

Sounds like old Scott is a much better fisherman than firestarter. Alaska's great for getting off the beaten path.
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Canadienne Sep 28, 2003 at 6:20 AM

I see you had a good guide to show you around! :-) This looks like a fisher's dream location. . .
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syllybabe Sep 21, 2003 at 5:57 AM

Scott's firestarting techniques aren't the greatest, I see, but I'll remember the tip about how to make your fish appear bigger than it actually is.
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keeweechic Sep 14, 2003 at 8:24 PM

Quite an area for the serious outdoors person. Fossil beach sounds very interesting and rugged. Wonderful bird life. you had a good guide.
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nepalgoods Sep 10, 2003 at 1:07 PM

Interesting place!! Thanks for sharing!
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zrim Sep 9, 2003 at 12:24 PM

Say it isn't so--scavenging bald eagles. What is the world coming to?
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phil_uk_net Sep 7, 2003 at 10:51 AM

You can start a fire using a rock & a dead fish? Naaah!! Thanks for disclosing Scott's sneaky technique on how to make things appear larger than they really are - that could come in handy!
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kaloz Sep 6, 2003 at 2:32 PM

When it does ignite, the fish cooks itself.