If your comming out to OTZ remember to check the City Kotzebue web sight on Covid mandates
https://www.cityofkotzebue.com/same with NWAB borough website about the quarentine requirements
https://www.nwabor.org/covid-19-information/, just month ago temps were in the -30's.
OAT° temps run the -1's and -10's
In 5 days we have had 4 of winds over 25mph and forcast to blow and snow again and the 10 day forcast is up and down today was -11°F when I checked 6am.
Reports of a few folks catching a handfull, still nothing steady or reliable as the schools migrate (Kobuk Lake is a big place aka Hotham Inlet)
Reports been patchy, folks report catching up at the mouth of the Noatak River(WTK) some fish over by Crowley Dock the outter edge of the channel where is slopes to shallows.
And reports of people catching at Pipe Spit (thin ice area) but spotty.
Nelsons camp where the creek mouth feeds into Kobuk Lake is a good spot.
Some have gone south down the Baldwin Pen to fish by Calahan Cabin and some venture east out onto Selawik Lake.
Be prepaired to have to travel 20 miles, have tackle with 80-100 lb test, must have a gaff, have enough line (48') 8 fathom's you can fish the trench, braided spider line, but most places you might fish 3-4 fathoms.
Most times you see folks use a 4" gold Dr Spoon.
Ive also had good luck with 4" Red Devil
Can see what KIC ACE Hardware stocks or Rotmans Store, alaska commercial company has never really been tuned into local fishing so dont expect to find much at AC.
Dress warm, can still expect -17° and winds up to 15mph.
Leave your 8" ice auger home.
Bring the 10"
Ice chisel, hole scoop, and a can-do attitude and lots a cash.
I think KIC still rents snowmobiles.
Check the Kotzebue Facebook posts.