Port Lions is located in Settlers Cove at the north end of Kodiak Island, and like many small island villages in the Kodiak Archipelago, it’s an excellent place for wildlife viewing, birding, fishing and more.
About Port Lions
Port Lions was created after the tsunami from the Good Friday Earthquake destroyed the village of Afognak on Afognak Island to the north. Lions Club International assisted greatly in building the new community and relocating Afognak residents who eventually named their village in honor of the service group.
Things to do
Within town, a causeway provides foot and bike access across Settler’s Cove while charter boat services offer access into the nearby coves and bays for wildlife viewing. Throughout the summer, the waters around Port Lions are an excellent place to spot whales, including humpbacks, fin whales and orcas as well as sea otters, sea lions and seals. At the right time of year, birders can easily spot hundreds of puffins, eagles and kittiwakes in the area.
Most visitors arrive at Port Lions to cast a line into the bountiful waters that surround it. The sheltered bays between Kodiak, Afognak and Raspberry islands are home to some of the richest fisheries in Alaska. In May and June, trophy king salmon can be caught in the bays and in August, silver salmon begin to appear. Halibut, some topping 300 pounds, can be hooked almost anytime from May through September. Fishing excursions in July often result in a mixed bag of kings, silvers and halibut. Nearby streams and rivers are also very productive with sockeye salmon in June, pink salmon and Dolly Varden in July and silver salmon in August.
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Charter Fishing
Most visitors arrive at Port Lions to cast a line into the bountiful waters that surround it. The sheltered bays between Kodiak, Afognak, and Raspberry islands are home to some of the richest fisheries in Alaska. In May and June, trophy kings can be caught in the bays and in August, silvers begin to appear. A halibut, some topping 300 pounds, can be hooked almost anytime from May through September while fishing excursions in July often result in a mixed bag of kings, silvers, and halibut. Nearby streams and rivers are also very productive with sockeye salmon in June, pink salmon and Dolly Varden trout in July and silver salmon beginning their spawning runs in August.
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Fishing Lodges
Fishing lodges in Port Lions provide visitors a wide range of services including comfortable accommodations, meals and equipment as well as arrange charter fishing adventures into waters between Kodiak, Afognak and Raspberry islands.
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Kayaking
Kayaks can be carried over on the Alaska Marine Highway and then used to explore the protected waters created by Kizhuyak Bay, Dry Spruce Bay and Whale and Raspberry Islands.
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Wildlife Watching
From May throughout the summer, the waters around Port Lions are excellent places to spot whales, including humpback, fin and Orca. Fishing lodges and local charter captains can arrange whale watching excursions of of Port Lions. Other marine mammals that are frequently spotted include sea otters, sea lions and seals while birding is also very good with hundreds of puffins, eagles and kittiwakes seen in the area.