Gulls mill and call near where fishermen clean the sockeye salmon they caught dipnetting near the mouth of the Kasilof River on Wednesday, June 28, 2018 in Kasilof, Alaska. The personal-use dipnet fishery on the Kasilof River opened Monday, with fish counts significantly behind last year and behind the 10-year average for the same date. Some fishermen were successful Wednesday, though, both from shore and from boats. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Gulls mill and call near where fishermen clean the sockeye salmon they caught dipnetting near the mouth of the Kasilof River on Wednesday, June 28, 2018 in Kasilof, Alaska. The personal-use dipnet fishery on the Kasilof River opened Monday, with fish counts significantly behind last year and behind the 10-year average for the same date. Some fishermen were successful Wednesday, though, both from shore and from boats. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Kasilof dipnet opens, fish counts still low

The Kasilof River personal-use dipnet is open, and fishermen are trying out their nets for sockeye with some mixed luck.

A few dipnetters dotted the north and south banks of the mouth of the Kasilof River on Wednesday morning around low tide, with a handful more in boats making passes up and down the estuary. Not many sockeye came out of the water, though anglers reported that they’d had more luck in the evenings before.

As of Tuesday, only 29,026 sockeye have passed the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s sonar on the Kasilof River, the lowest count by that date since 2012, according to Fish and Game’s online records. The previous 10-year estimate by June 26 on the Kasilof River is approximately 70,000 fish, according to Fish and Game’s Upper Cook Inlet commercial fisheries announcement for Wednesday.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The Kasilof is the first location for personal-use fishing on the Kenai Peninsula each summer, followed by the China Poot dipnet fishery on the south side of Kachemak Bay on July 1 and the Kenai River dipnet on July 10. Anglers are fishing for sockeye upriver as well.

The Russian River is another major location to catch sockeye salmon in June, before the Kenai River run heats up in July. High, muddy water last week made fishing difficult, but the water level has since fallen and the quality cleared some, making fishing conditions better. As of Tuesday, 18,496 sockeye had passed the weir on Lower Russian Lake, with daily passage greater than 1,500 fish since Saturday. The sanctuary area is open around the confluence of the two rivers as well, giving anglers more space to reach the fish where they turn up into the clear water of the Russian River.

Until the Kenai River sockeye run picks up in July, other salmon fishing opportunities are limited. King salmon fishing across the freshwater streams of Cook Inlet is currently closed with the exception of on the Kasilof River, where anglers can fish with one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure for kings but can only keep hatchery-produced king salmon 20 inches or greater with a bag and possession limit of one fish. Anglers can head out into the marine waters to fish for king salmon or try the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon, though fishing for kings there is winding down, according to the sportfishing report for Lower Cook Inlet, issued Wednesday.

The late-run king salmon fishery on the Kenai River will open Sunday, though bait will be off-limits by emergency order. Anglers still won’t be able to fish upstream of a marker about 300 yards downstream of the mouth of Slikok Creek, but fishing will be open below that for now, according to a Fish and Game emergency order issued June 21.

Rainbow trout fishing is open on the Kenai River as well, with anglers reporting some luck last week, according to a Northern Kenai Peninsula fishing report issued June 21.

Anglers can also try the stocked lakes across the Kenai Peninsula, where Fish and Game regularly stock rainbow trout and Arctic char, among other species. Fish and Game maintains a database of stocked lakes on its website with updates on the most recent stocking effort. Spirit Lake in Kenai was stocked with about 5,000 catchable Arctic char in early May, and Johnson Lake was stocked with about 2,950 catchable rainbow trout on June 14, according to the database.

Reach Elizabeth Earl at eearl@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in Life

The winning designs of the Second Annual City of Soldotna I Voted Sticker Contest are displayed. (Graphics courtesy City of Soldotna)
Winners announced for Soldotna voting sticker design contest

The voting stickers will be available at Soldotna polling locations during the Oct. 1 municipal election.

A screenshot of a photo from the rescue's Facebook page shows Sushi, a cat looking for a home for over two years now. (Photo courtesy of Clear Creek Cat Rescue)
Southcentral cat rescue seeking foster homes, adopters for stray felines

In 2024, the organization helped rescue 589 cats.

Nick Varney
Unhinged Alaska: I should have known better

It all started off rather quietly.

Capt. Karl Kircheiß, a decorated German sailor, visited Steve Melchior in Seward in 1932.
Steve Melchior: Treasured peninsula pioneer with a sketchy past — Part 3

Stephan “Steve” Melchior sent a friend to Katherine to tell her that he had died in Alaska.

File
Minister’s Message: Living like lambs (in the midst of wolves)

The only chance lambs have of survival is if they have a shepherd watching over them, guarding them, protecting them.

A healthy dose of shredded cheddar makes the veggies in this soup palatable even for the most sensitive diner. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Something warm and comforting

This mild and nutritious soup is full of fiber and vitamins, plus a healthy dose of shredded cheddar.

Forever Dance Alaska performers deliver a routine while walking with the 67th Annual Soldotna Progress Days Parade on Marydale Avenue in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
68th Annual Progress Days events to take place this weekend

The celebration includes events around town from Wednesday through Sunday.

Artist Ingrid McKinstry stands next to her current mixed media exhibit and her work available year-round at Fireweed Gallery in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Ingrid McKinstry
An exploration of curiosity

Homer artist showcases new and previously completed mixed media pieces.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Attendees dance at Salmonfest in Ninilchik<ins>, Alaska,</ins> on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.
Salmonfest to return for 15th year of fish, love and music

This year’s festival will take place from Aug. 1-3 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik.

Most Read