Two new sport fishing regulations have been imposed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, expanding dipnetting waters and increasing sockeye limits, according to a press release from the agency.
On the Kasilof River, the ADF&G has expanded the dipnetting area to allow anglers to harvest their household limits of sockeye salmon.
The agency moved its markers to encompass a greater area on the river, expanding from the shore on Cook Inlet beaches upstream to the Sterling Highway Bridge on the Kasilof. Additionally, dipnetting from boats is allowed from the markers on Cook Inlet beaches upstream to those at approximately River Mile 3 of the Kasilof. The changes are effective 12:01 a.m. July 3 through 11:59 p.m. Aug. 7.
Dipnetting is only allowed for Alaska residents with personal-use permits. It’s open 24 hours per day, seven days per week. King salmon, non-salmon species, Dolly Varden, and rainbow and steelhead trout must be released unharmed.
The ADF&G is also increasing the bag and possession limits for anglers on the Kasilof River.
Anglers will be allowed to bag six sockeye per day and have 12 in possession, but no more than two salmon per day and two in possession may be coho. These provisions are set for all portions of the Kasilof and are effective at 12:01 a.m. July 3 through 11:59 p.m. December 31.
The agency reported that through July 1, a total of 113,717 sockeye had passed by the Kasilof River sonar site. The ADF&G predicts the biological escapement goal will be exceeded.
For more information, contact the ADF&G Area Management Biologist Colton Lipka at 907-262-9368.
Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.
