The Pasagshak River, the outlet to Lake Rose Tead, is approximately three miles long and empties into salt water at the head of Pasagshak Bay. Pasagshak River is considered one of the outstanding sport fishing streams on Kodiak Island and provides thousands of man-hours of angling annually for Dolly Varden, sockeye, pink, chum, and silver salmon. Besides seasonal salmon runs, Pasagshak Bay and area supports a rich and varied constellation of land, coastal and marine wildlife, including brown bear, whales, seals, dolphins, sea bird colonies, eagles, over wintering waterfowl, shrimp and crab. The bay is fished by commercial purse seiners.

Pasagshak River State Recreation Site was created in 1980 to provide public access to the lower section of Pasagshak River for sport fishing, camping, and picnicking. It is the only designated park land outside of the immediate city area, which is located on a road, within an hours drive from Kodiak. The road is one of the very few roads on the island and it has picturesque and dramatic scenery along the way and especially at the park site itself.

Camping at Pasagshak is on a first come first serve basis. The campground is undeveloped with a hand-pump well for drinking water and three latrines. Visitors are expected to take out their trash when they leave.