In this July 20, 2013 file photo, several thousand dipnetters converged onto the mouth of the Kenai River to catch a share of the late run of sockeye salmon headed into the river in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo/Rashah McChesney)

In this July 20, 2013 file photo, several thousand dipnetters converged onto the mouth of the Kenai River to catch a share of the late run of sockeye salmon headed into the river in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file photo/Rashah McChesney)

Dipnetters banned from retaining kings

Dipnetting on the Kenai River opens Friday.

In anticipation of low king salmon returns, Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game has prohibited the retention of kings during Kenai River dipnetting.

“The 2020 king salmon runs throughout Cook Inlet have consistently and significantly underperformed ADF&G preseason forecasts resulting in restrictions and closures of inriver and marine sport fisheries,” area management biologist Colton Lipka said in a Monday advisory from the department. “ADF&G will continue to monitor the Kenai River run as it develops and additional actions may be taken depending on the run strength.”

The prohibition of king salmon retention in the personal use fishery is in line with paired restrictions on the sport and commercial fisheries that were implemented on June 15. The Kenai River Late-Run King Salmon Management Plan states that if bait is prohibited in the Kenai River sport fishery, retention is prohibited in the personal use fishery.

As of July 1, retention of king salmon 34 inches in length or greater and the use of bait are prohibited in the sport fishery from the mouth of the Kenai River to the ADF&G regulatory marker located 300 yards downstream from the mouth of Slikok Creek. Restrictions are also in place for the commercial fishery.

The Kenai River dipnet fishery typically allows the retention of one king salmon per year per household permit, Lipka said on Tuesday, but retention was prohibited last year as well due to similar restrictions placed on the sport fishery.

The Kasilof dipnet personal use fishery is always closed to the retention of kings.

Dipnetting on the Kenai River opens Friday, July 10, and continues through July 31. Dipnetting is allowed from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day. Only Alaska residents can participate, and an Upper Cook Inlet Personal Use Permit is required in addition to a 2020 Alaska Sport Fishing license.

Upper Cook Inlet personal use permits are available at local ADF&G offices, vendors and online at adfg.alaska.gov/store.

A map of the allowable dipnetting areas is available on page 14 of the 2020 Southcentral Sport Fishing Regulations summary booklet.

More in News

The Kasilof River is seen from the Kasilof River Recreation Area, July 30, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
King salmon fishing on Kasilof to close Thursday

If any king salmon is caught while fishing for other species, they may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

Un’a, a female sea otter pup who was admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center in June 2025, plays with an enrichment toy at the center in Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy of the Alaska SeaLife Center
SeaLife Center admits 2 seal pups, 1 orphaned otter

The three pups join the Alaska SeaLife Center’s ‘growing’ patient list.

James Wardlow demonstrates flilleting a salmon with an ulu during a smoked salmon demonstration, part of Fish Week 2023, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Refuge to celebrate all things fish during weeklong event

Fish Week will take place July 16-19.

President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, July 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
School board finalizes budget with deep cuts to programming, classrooms

Multiple members of the board said they were frustrated by the state’s failure to fund education.

Former KPBSD Finance Director Liz Hayes speaks during a Kenai Peninsula Borough School District budget development meeting at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
School district finance department earns national awards

The two awards are based on comprehensive reviews of the district’s budget and financial reporting.

Children leap forward to grab candy during a Fourth of July parade on South Willow Street in Kenai, Alaska, on July 4, 2025. (Photo courtesy Sarah Every)
Celebrating the 4th in the streets

Kenai comes out for annual Independence Day parade.

Fire crews respond to the Bruce Fire, July 4, 2025, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Alaska Division of Forestry)
Firefighting crews respond to wildfire outside Soldotna

The 8-acre fire and two “spot fires” of less than one acre each are located near Mile 102 and 103 of the Sterling Highway.

Robert Weaver was last seen at the Doroshin Bay public use cabin on June 25, 2025. (Photo provided by the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
Updated: Refuge ends search efforts for missing man

Robert Weaver was last seen near Skilak Lake on June 25.

Most Read