The Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Sport Fish said in its Sept. 1 Northern Kenai Fishing Report that the Kenai River is reporting high water and turbid conditions due to high rains.
Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing in the middle and upper Kenai River is reportedly “fair.”
Coho salmon fishing on the upper and lower Kenai River is good and expected to remain good for the next few weeks. Bait and multiple hooks are now allowed.
ADF&G reminds anglers that the bag and possession limit for coho salmon is one per day and one in possession upstream of the power line near Sportsman’s Landing, and two per day and two in possession in other areas of the upper Kenai River.
Any king salmon caught while fishing for other species may not be retained or possessed and must be immediately released. Anglers should avoid fishing for coho salmon in areas of the river where king salmon are concentrated.
ADF&G recommends fishing at Centennial Park, Rotary Park, Donald E. Gilman River Center, the Soldotna Visitors Center, Moose Range Meadows or Soldotna Creek Park.
Kasilof River
Coho salmon fishing is good and expected to continue to improve “over the next couple of weeks.” The Division of Sport Fish suggests fishing from the shore at Crooked Creek State Recreation Site.
Other
Coho fishing has slowed in Resurrection Creek, but is expected to improve. Swanson River coho salmon sport fishing is also being reported as good.
Coho salmon fishing in the Russian River should improve in the coming weeks. Bag and possession limits are one per day and one in possession. Coho salmon removed from the water must be retained and become part of the bag limit of the person who hooked the fish. Coho salmon 16 inches or longer must not be removed from the water before release.
Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing is good in the Russian River.
Local Lakes
Elephant (Spirit) Lake’s access gate has been closed and will remain closed through the end of the month. Fishing in stocked lakes should be excellent. Fishing for rainbow trout, Arctic char, Arctic grayling and landlocked salmon “should be good to excellent.” It is suggested by the Division of Sport Fish that anglers try fishing with dry or wet flies, like an egg sucking leech, bead head nymph or mosquito pattern. Small spoons and spinners size #0 or #2 as well as small bait under a bobber, are recommended.
Emergency Orders
Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.
Kenai River and Russian River
Emergency Order 2-RS-1-60-22 increases the bag and possession limit for salmon, 16 inches or longer, other than king, pink and coho salmon, from three per day and six in possession to six per day and 12 in possession, in the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to an ADF&G regulatory marker located at the outlet of Skilak Lake. No more than two salmon, 16 inches or longer, per day and in possession may be coho salmon. This regulatory change is effective through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31.
Kasilof River
Emergency Order 2-RS-1-44-22 increases the bag and possession limit for salmon, 16 inches or longer, to six fish per and 12 in possession in all portions of the Kasilof River open to salmon fishing. No more than two salmon per day and two in possession may be coho salmon. This regulatory change is effective through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31.
Local Lakes
Emergency Order 2-NP-1-04-22 prohibits the retention of any species of fish in East Mackey, West Mackey, Sevena, Union, and Derks lakes for the 2022 season.
Emergency Order 2-DV-1-03-22 establishes a bag and possession limit of Arctic char/Dolly Varden in Stormy Lake of one fish, less than 16 inches in length for the 2022 season.
