A northern Kenai fishing report published by the State Department of Fish and Game on Friday says that there’s good fishing on the Kasilof River and at local stocked lakes, while the Russian River is slow.

Freshwater fishing

Russian River, not including the Russian River Sanctuary, is open to fishing, but the report says that harvest is slow. That’s expected to improve “in the next couple of weeks.” Per fish counts from the department, this year’s numbers are trailing each of the last four at this time in the season — fewer than 20,000 have been counted so far.

Sockeye fishing on the Kasilof River “has been good.” The department doubled the bag limit earlier this week in response to a strong run. On Tuesday, nearly 24,000 sockeye were counted on the river. This year’s counts far outpace each of the last four years at this time in the season.

On the Kenai River, 2,278 large king salmon have been counted since May 16. That’s above the totals counted at this time in each of the last three years, like last year’s count on the same day of 1,251. The report says that king salmon passage has been dropping but still is “tracking better than the past couple years.” Daily counts can be found at adfg.alaska.gov.

Saltwater fishing

Fishers are finding success shore fishing for halibut and cod at local beaches.

Local Lakes

The local stocked lakes “continue to be productive.” Fishers with access to a boat or watercraft, the report says, can try Hidden Lake “for a shot at bigger fish.”

Information about stocked lakes can be found under the “Sport” tab at adfg.alaska.gov.

Emergency Orders

Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

Emergency Order 2-RS-1-26-25 increases the bag and possession limits for sockeye salmon, 16 inches or longer, to six fish per day and 12 in possession in all waters of the Kasilof River open to salmon fishing.

Emergency Order 2-RS-1-25-25 expands the personal use salmon dipnet fishing area on the Kasilof River. Salmon may be harvested from the shore from ADF&G markers located on Cook Inlet beaches outside the terminus of the river upstream to the Sterling Highway Bridge. Salmon may be harvested from a boat from ADF&G markers located on Cook Inlet beaches outside the terminus of the river upstream to ADF&G markers placed at approximately river mile 4.

Emergency Order 2-KS-1-1-25 prohibits the use of bait on the Kasilof River effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, May 1 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15; only one unbaited, single hook, artificial lure or fly may be used. This emergency order also prohibits the retention of naturally produced king salmon effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday, May 1, through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, July 31.

Emergency Order 2-KS-1-2-25 closes the Kenai River to fishing for king salmon and prohibits the use of bait and multiple hooks in the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to ADF&G markers located at the outlet of Skilak Lake from 12:01 a.m. Thursday, May 1, through 11:59 p.m. Monday, June 30, 2025.

Emergency Order 2-KS-1-3-25 closes the Kenai River to fishing for king salmon and prohibits the use of bait and multiple hooks in the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to ADF&G markers located at the outlet of Skilak Lake from 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 20, through 11:59 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, 2025.