The Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Sport Fish in a June 8 fishing report outlined opportunities for anglers in the north Kenai area.

The department announced in this week’s report that the Soldotna ADF&G office is offering a fishing rod loaner program and has other fishing gear that anglers can borrow for up to three days. Gear is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Freshwater

Kenai River

The Kenai River’s early-run king salmon sport fishery from the mouth of the river to Skilak Lake is closed per Emergency Order 2-RS-1-22-22, which supersedes prior emergency orders.

Between June 8 and June 30, fishing for and retention of king salmon of all sizes in the Kenai River from the mouth upstream to the outlet of Skilak is prohibited, including catch and release. That’s per a June 6 emergency order from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game that cites a need to protect returning king salmon and ensure future sport fishing opportunities.

For the duration of July, king salmon fishing will remain closed in Kenai River waters from an ADF&G regulatory marker located about 300 yards downstream from the mouth of Slikok Creek upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake. The closure prohibits all sport king salmon fishing, including catch and release fishing.

“King salmon may not be retained or possessed; king salmon accidentally caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately,” the division report says.

Also during July, anglers may only use one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure when fishing between the mouth of the Kenai River and the ADF&G marker located about 300 yards downstream from the mouth of Slikok Creek. Anglers in this area are not allowed to retain king salmon of any size.

“King salmon may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately,” the order says.

Kasilof River

The division reported that king salmon fishing on the Kasilof River is “slow, but improving,” and encouraged anglers to try fishing for king salmon from the shore at Crooked Creek State Recreation Area. Only two hatchery-produced fish that are 20 inches or longer may be retained. Until June 30, sport fishing gear is limited to one unbaited, single hook, artificial lure.

Between June 15 and June 24, the Kasilof River’s personal use set gillnet fishery will only be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. That’s per Emergency Order 2-RS-1-26-22, which was released this week and cites a desire to “protect king salmon bound for the Kasilof River.”

Other waters

Beginning June 11, anglers can fish for rainbow trout in the Kenai River’s flowing waters upstream of the Lower Killey River marker and all Kenai River tributary streams. Those waters were closed between May 1 and June 10 to protect spawning rainbow trout. The division wrote that rainbow trout fishing in the area is “expected to be good.”

Sockeye salmon fishing opened in the Upper Kenai and Russian rivers at 12:01 a.m. on June 11, though the division said sockeye salmon fishing is “expected to be slow.” The Russian River Sanctuary area is closed to fishing for all species.

At the mouth of Resurrection Creek in Hope, the division said fishing for sea-run Dolly Varden “should be picking up this time of year.” Anglers should try using pink fry pattern flies, the division said.

Saltwater

Surf fishing on Cook Inlet beaches south of the Kenai River is “fair,” the division reported.

Personal Use

The mouth of the Kasilof River will open to personal use set gillnet fishing on Wednesday, June 15, with fishing hours limited to between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily.

Local Lakes

The division reported that lake fishing should be “good to excellent” for rainbow trout, Arctic char, Arctic grayling and land-locked salmon. Anglers should try fishing with dry or wet flies, such as an egg-sucking leech, bead head nymph or mosquito pattern.

The Spirit (Elephant) Lake access gate is open. The lake was recently stocked with about 5,550 catchable-sized Arctic char, as was Island Lake, the division reported.

Emergency orders

Kasilof River

Emergency Order 2-RS-1-26-22 reduces the hours open during the personal use set gillnet fishery at the mouth of the Kasilof River. The hours open to fishing in the personal use set gillnet fishery will be reduced to 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. daily from Wednesday, June 15 through Friday, June 24, 2022.

Emergency Order 2-KS-1-20-22 and Emergency Order 2-KS-1-23-22 prohibits the retention of naturally produced king salmon. The bag and possession limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length is two hatchery-produced fish. Effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 8 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, June 30, 2022, sport fishing gear is limited to one unbaited, single hook, artificial lure.

Kenai River

Emergency Order 2-KS-1-22-22 supersedes prior Emergency Orders and will prohibit the retention of king salmon of all sizes in the Kenai River from the mouth upstream to the outlet of Skilak effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 8 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, June 30. Fishing for king salmon will remain closed from 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 1 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 2022, in waters of the Kenai River drainage from an ADF&G regulatory marker located approximately 300 yards downstream from the mouth of Slikok Creek, upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake. This closure prohibits all sport fishing for king salmon, including catch and release fishing. King salmon may not be retained or possessed; king salmon accidentally caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. Additionally, in the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to an ADF&G regulatory marker located approximately 300 yards downstream from the mouth of Slikok Creek from 12:01 a.m. Friday July 1, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 2022, is restricted to the use of only one unbaited, single-hook artificial lure, and anglers may not retain king salmon of any size. King salmon may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

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.

More information about fishing in the Northern Kenai area can be found at adfg.alaska.gov.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.