Wildlife

The world's largest brown bear inhabit the lush mountains on Kodiak and sightings are a daily occurrence in Larsen Bay, the heart of Kodiak National Bear Refuge. These mountains are also home to Blacktail deer and the great Bald Eagle. A variety of sea birds abound in Uyak Bay including Puffins.

The Kodiak bear, or big brown bear, is the largest living member of the Carnivora, sometimes reaching a length of 9 ft, a shoulder height of 4 1/2 ft, and a weight of over 1,600 lb. Many of the brown bears have made the surrounding areas of Larsen Bay their home and can be observed in the summer months when they are foraging for berries or feeding on the salmon in the nearby creeks.

The sea life around Kodiak Island is said to be the richest in the world. Many times Gray, Humpback, and Killer whales are surfacing nearby while we are fishing. Kodiak is also home to sea otters, sea lions and seals. King crab, Dungeness and Tanner crab are also found in the depths of Uyak Bay.

A male Killer whale may reach a length of 30 ft and females half that length. It is a swift and ferocious animal, armed with more than four dozen sharp teeth, and is the only whale that feeds regularly on birds or mammals. Killer whales eat seals, sea birds, and fish, and in packs they will even attack larger whales.


The American Bald eagle is found in all parts of North America near water and feeds chiefly on dead fish and rodents. The northern species is slightly larger than the southern, which ranges throughout the United States. There is a large population of Bald eagles on Kodiak Island and many make there home along the Karluk river.


Sea Lions feed primarily on fish and squid and are known to dive as deep as 600 ft for food. During the breeding season they gather in colonies on the shore; the males establish territories and assemble harems, usually numbering 10 to 15 females. Stellar's Sea Lion is one of the largest of the pinnipeds, exceeded in size only by the elephant seal and the walrus. Males may grow up to 13 ft long and weigh as much as 1,800 lb.

Solitary most of the year, foxes do not live in dens except in the breeding season; they sleep concealed in grasses or thickets, their tails curled around them for warmth. Foxes feed on insects, earthworms, small birds and mammals, eggs, carrion, and vegetable matter, especially fruits. Unlike other members of the dog family, which run down their prey, foxes usually hunt by stalking and pouncing.

One of our clients had a nice sized King Salmon on the line when a Kodiak Brown bear came out of the brush! The bear made the fishermen nervous but the guide knew what he was up to. As the group snapped a few photos, the bear took the salmon off the line and carried it back into the brush! You will find another picture of this event on Fishing.

P.O. Box 7
Larsen Bay, Alaska 99624
Phone: 907-847-2350
Fax: 907-847-2321