King salmon fishing is a rite of passage in Alaska, cherished by locals and visitors alike. Preserving this tradition calls for shared responsibility in conservation. Read about Fish Alaska co-founder Melissaâs memorable mother-daughter fishing adventure in Kodiak, highlighted by her daughterâs very first king salmon catch!
The wheels touched down on the dirt strip that acts as the Larsen Bay airport. I told my daughter to get ready to make a run for the van. Chad and the guys grabbed our bags and in no time at all we were at Kodiak Legends Lodge.
Overcoming Setbacks: How an Achilles Injury Almost Kept Me Off the Water
I didnât think I was going to be there. In fact, I was going to need a miracle to fish at all in 2024 after I popped my Achilles tendon playing pickleball last December. It probably would have been fine to resume my normal fishing schedule by summer if it werenât for the unfortunate fall that caused a second rupture to my right Achilles only seven weeks past my initial surgery. It was looking pretty bleak for this active outdoor lady for a while.
Thankfully, I connected with an incredible surgeon at Orthopedic Physicians Alaska (OPA) in Anchorage named Dr. Eugene Chang. All he and his team could do with that second injury was close the wound to let the skin heal with plans to go in later and once again repair the Achilles. It now required a more complicated surgery. He wanted me to wait as long as I could to heal the skin before any more surgery. After it closed, he had me begin walking in a boot, then eventually without it, even while my Achilles was separated. It wasnât going to make the injury any worse and the mobility would be good for me.
After more than six months of my dear friend driving my daughter to school, grocery deliveries, a hired dog walker, and a serious lack of exercise I normally seek, the prospect of not being able to fish was another hard blow to face. My inner circle rallied, including my brother, Marcus, and my friend, Chad, who were both quick to inform me they would see I had fish in my freezer. As a longtime pescatarian my self-harvested wild Alaska fish is in everyday use and itâs a vital part of my nutrition.
A Mother-Daughter Fishing Adventure
Needless to say, when Maizie and I made it to our cabin at Kodiak Legends Lodge that first week in June, I was feeling euphoric beyond previous comprehension. Looking out on Uyak Bay, Green Banks in the distance and my daughter by my side, I felt incredibly thankful.
This was Maizieâs first time to Larsen Bay and we were there for a saltwater fishing bonanza. Maizie has always loved fishing, but at just shy of 10 years old, I wondered if four days in a row on the ocean might be a bit too much for her. We came prepared. Maizie knew exactly what to expect. We had lots of snacks and goodies, and we were armed with a charades game on my phone we like to play when we have to wait anywhere.
If you ask Maizie her favorite part of our trip to Kodiak, she would either say me playing lots of games with her when we werenât fishing, or Rafeâs new puppy, Ruby, who was around for us to love on. My answers are exactly the same but add fishing and also pride in my daughterâs attitude and behavior. Off-time at Kodiak Legends is nearly as much fun as fishing time with all the games around, including billiards, which Maizie loves.
These two besties love fishing, skiing, and laughing together.
15 two, 15 fourâŠMaizie Norris is a bona fide cribbage-playing Alaskan fisherman.
Maizie loves animals so having Rafeâs dog, Ruby, at the lodge was the icing on the cake for her.
Kodiak Legends lodge has a well-equipped game room. We made daily use of the pool table.
Fishing with our Favorite Kodiak Legends
If you follow the magazine and have seen any of my writing in the last five years you might recall I have visited Kodiak Legends annually since I connected with Chad. The reasons are multi-fold but if I had to break it down it would be the people and the way they harvest and process fish. I have been fishing with a lot of different captains across Alaska over the last 25 years while publishing Fish Alaska and the crew at Kodiak Legends has my heart. These like-minded anglers have become dear friends. I can always count on lots of laughter and fun. I knew visiting during pre-season would be a great chance for my daughter to experience an incredible trip she will always remember us sharing, and weâd put up most of our fish for the year in one fell swoop.
Catching a king salmon in Kodiak is a memory Maizie Norris will keep for the rest of her life.
So, there I was, grateful beyond measure and we hadnât even started fishing yet. That would be the real test for Maizieâeight hours on the boat. It was no problem. That kid got right to it, quickly getting the hang of the gear and happy to reel in fish after fish. We were fishing with Chad as our captain and Russell on the deck. Maizie and I had the boat to ourselves. It was a great day. Chad let us know early we were going to be after halibut, Pacific cod, and black rockfish that first day and thatâs exactly what we harvested.
Alaska’s Fisheries: A Source of Flavor, Variety, and Nutrition
My crew likes to harvest smaller halibut for our table. We prefer to let bigger ones procreate, releasing their abundant eggs and strong DNA into the gene pool.
Each of those species offers a delicious, mild-flavored white-meat fillet with a slightly different texture. As fisheries change in Alaska and in the world, I have grown to appreciate each and every species for their variety and flavor. While halibut is still my favorite self-caught, wild Alaska white fish to eat, rockfish, lingcod, and Pacific cod all have their palatability and spot in my meal plan, especially when used in specific recipes ideal for each.
Pacific cod is super abundant and easy to catch so itâs a great fish to add to your nutrition. Chad introduced me to a delicious miso-ginger-crusted cod dish that I like to pair with cauliflower fried rice. Itâs a nutritious whole food option that tastes fantastic and is good for you.
These days, with such an avid intent to eat only wild-caught fish, I am happy to fish for any of the main sport-caught species. One thing I do love about a multiday saltwater adventure is more opportunity to strategically plan the best fishing options based on tides and weather. You are not limited to what single day you have your charter booked. The area we fish near Larsen Bay is protected by mountains. You have the option of fishing within that area or venturing out to bigger water on bluebird days. You also have lots of water to choose from if you want to chase salmon.
Targeting Species with Sustainability in Mind
When we go, we always try for a blend of species, and thatâs something most guests of Kodiak Legends Lodge enjoy. Some do come specifically when they are more likely to catch kings during June or silvers during August, but a mixed box is quite likely regardless of timing. Our second day of fishing was much like the first with a mix of smaller halibut and hearty black rockfish and as many cod as we wanted. Thereâs no limit on Pacific cod, but that does not mean we didnât impose one on ourselves. Nobody around me has a greedy mentality that contributes to greater problems over time.
Chad always comes through as the weather man, so the third day of fishing did prove to be the best day to target kings, as he predicted. His plan was to troll up a king or two in the morning then fish the tide for halibut in the afternoon. It used to be quite a bit easier to catch kings in Alaska. You canât help but be aware we are experiencing a prolonged period of low abundance of Chinookâto the point where subsistence users arenât able to fish for them in places like the Yukon River. I am a longtime Alaskan and I also supply my household with fish, although I am labeled a sport angler because I fish with a rod and reel.
Pacific cod is known for its mild, white, flaky meat. Itâs low in fat and calories and high in protein; nearly 18 grams of protein per 3-ounce serving.
Amanda from the Kodiak Legends hospitality team gets a day on the water before the season start.
Captain Tony and Jessica are smiles and thumbs up for this bounty of the seaâa halibut/Pacific cod double.
Ethical King Salmon Harvesting Amid Declining Runs
For me, itâs a struggle these days to want to target kings, considering the state of the runs. Thankfully, there are still areas where fishing for king salmon is possible, and Kodiak is one. Not only that, but I hear reports from clients and friends all over the state. In some areas I heard their king fisheries fared better in 2024 than they had in recent years. Thatâs promising to hear. Still, I find myself with the proverbial angel on one shoulder, and devil on the other. Why on earth would I not harvest a single king salmon or two to feed my family when nearly 40,000 kings have been taken as trawl bycatch near Alaska yet again this year? Itâs going to take a miracle to turn that around. In that moment I chose to support my daughterâs chance to catch and keep her first, but hopefully not only, king.
Maizieâs First King: A Moment Every Angler Should Experience
Maizie on the stick with her first king attached to the business end.
The sun was shining brightly in the sky as we were trolling near Harvester Island. Downriggers set at 40- and 45 feet, flashers spiraling rhythmically in the salty bay. Slam! The rod goes down. We all tell Maizie itâs hers, and to grab it out of the rod holder. With a struggle and some coaching, she got it out of the holder. We told her to give the rod one good lift. Russell demonstrated with an âair hook-set.â Nearly 10 years old and a lifelong Alaskan, my girl popped the line out of the clip.
Her hands were firmly wrapped around the butt end of the St. Croix rod attached to a prized kingâa 12-pound torpedo that fought and dove and scurried about. Maizie followed Russellâs instructions on when to reel and where to move until the king was on the starboard side right next to the boat. Chad scooped that Chinook into the net and it was a done deal. Maizie caught her first king salmon. We finished the day bottomfishing and added a couple more cod to our haul.
Mindful Harvesting: Taking Only Whatâs Needed
Our two 50-pound fish boxes were starting to fill up. Roughly 30 pounds of halibut, 20 pounds of cod, and 20 pounds of assorted rockfish were already packed in the freezer. Add that king salmon and a mix of 30 pounds of sockeye and silvers from later that season and I can comfortably feed my household plus our guests for a year. I donât need to keep any more than that and I eat fish nearly every single day, often more than once a day. If you havenât yet, you really should figure out how much you actually need and only take home that amount. Itâs the right thing to do.
Over four days of fishing and a couple halibut a day per person, halibut of this size add up to just the right amount for the freezer.
Our last day of fishing at the lodge was the last day of pre-season before guests began to arrive for the summer. Captain Tony was tasked with taking us fishing on the Seawolf, bringing along Amanda and Jessica who help in hospitality for the lodge. Lane was along to run the deck and keep lines in the water. It was a really fun day to share with the staff as they took a needed break before the whirlwind season was to start. I appreciated how each of them interacted with my sweet daughter, played charades, helped her catch fish, and genuinely enjoyed her for the goodness she brings.
The Value of Fishing and Harvesting as a Family
As we were departing the lodge the next day, a family of four from Texas flew in on our outbound plane. They had two young kids and I was stoked to see that. I knew that family was in for a great time. Itâs such a healthy way of life to get your kids outdoors, whether they live here or not. Youâre teaching them so many incredible foundational values that will last their lifetimes and will translate to future generations. There are a lot of amazing fish stories to be told, memories to be made, and nutritional gold to be harvested for your family.
My Big Miracle: From Injury to Healing
Maizie loves walking on the beach looking for interesting shells.
A couple days after Maizie and I returned from Kodiak I was back in the surgeonâs office for a checkup. It had been seven or eight weeks since heâd seen me as there wasnât much to do besides let the skin continue to heal for the next surgery. As I walked into the back where they see patients, I heard âThatâs a good sign.â Dr. Chang came in to see me. Looking incredulous he said, âMelissa, your Achilles is healing on its own. Itâs reattaching. Whatever you are doing I want you to keep doing.â He tried to tell me more, but I didnât hear him over my happy, grateful sobbing.
He saw me one more time in September and then cleared me. This girl is back to riding my bike, teaching my floating fitness class at The Alaska Club, skiing, ice skating, and fishing! I can drive my child to school, walk and bike my dogs, go to the grocery store, and harvest my own fish. After the dark time I experienced last winter, this surely feels like a miracle. And I have hope for so much more.
Trawl Bycatch and the Waste of Alaskaâs Fish
Trawl boats docked in Seattle. © Ryan Astalos
Kings are not the only stock continually harmed by commercial trawl fishing. Halibut, crabs, chum salmon, and many more species are discarded as bycatchâwanton waste of fish the rest of us wish to harvest in moderation for our own personal use directly from ocean (or river) to plate. Climate change, human use, whatever the causes that got us here, limiting trawl fisheries which have such a large negative environmental impact on our oceans is a change within human control. Such limits could begin to restore our healthy abundance of fish and sea life. Itâs not just the massive amount of fish that are reported as bycatch. Itâs also the effects on the environment that dragging heavy nets and chains across the ocean floor creates. I also suspect there is significant bycatch that goes unreported in this flawed system.
Right now, we are being run over by the mega-rich few who run the show. Our system is flawed with politics, lobbyists, and payoffs leaving us with a skulk of foxes in the hen house self-managing what is allowed for commercial trawl fisheries. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) board appointees have been placed there to the advantage of the trawl fleet. I hope we find a Governor who cares about the environmental impact on our planet and the Alaskan way of life. I am going to keep talking about it to anyone who will listen to make sure people know about it. Like I said, it will take a miracle.
Melissa Norris
About the Author Melissa Norris
Melissa Norris is the founder and Publisher of Fish Alaska and Hunt Alaska magazines. She has over two decades of experience fishing all over Alaska, writing about her time in the field, testing gear, planning trips and cooking and harvesting wild Alaska seafood. In addition to writing tons of content for the magazine and our website, Melissa heads our digital platforms and leads the design team.