Dipnetting
The Kenai River dipnet fishery is closed.
The Kasilof River dipnet fishery is reportedly slow, but fish are being caught. The fishery remains open until 11:59 p.m. Sunday. Anglers can harvest salmon from the shore between Alaska Department of Fish and Game markers located on Cook Inlet beaches outside the terminus of the river upstream and ADF&G markers placed around River Mile 3. Anglers may not retain king salmon, dolly varden, rainbow trout or steelhead trout while dipnetting, and these fish must be released immediately.
Freshwater fishing
Kenai River
The late-run Kenai River king salmon sport fishery remains closed.
Sport fishing gear is limited to one single-hook artificial lure, and bait is still prohibited in the Kenai River from its mouth to Skilak Lake. King Salmon accidentally caught must be released immediately.
Rainbow trout and dolly varden fishing in the middle and Upper Kenai River is reportedly “fair to good.” Sockeye salmon fishing is reportedly good in the Upper Kenai River, but has slowed in the Lower Kenai River. The bag limit for sockeye salmon is six per day and 12 in possession.
Kasilof River
The Kasilof River king salmon sport fishery remains closed.
Sockeye salmon fishing has reportedly slowed in Kasilof River. The ADF&G Division of Sport Fish suggests fishing from the shore at Crooked Creek State Recreation Site though it reminds anglers that Crooked Creek is closed to fishing. The bag limit for sockeye salmon is six per day and 12 in possession.
Other
Pink salmon fishing in Resurrection Creek is reportedly good, with plentiful salmon. Sockeye salmon fishing in the Russian River is reportedly good to excellent.
Local Lakes
John Hedberg Lake in Nikiski is reporting “excellent” fishing, while 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-1-63-22 increases the bag and possession limits for salmon, other than king salmon, to six fish per day and 12 fish in possession in that area of the Kenai River upstream from Skilak Lake to ADF&G regulatory markers located approximately 300 yards upstream of the public boat launch at Sportsman’s Landing and the Russian River from its mouth upstream to an ADF&G marker located approximately 600 yards downstream from the Russian River Falls through Aug. 20, 2022.
■ Emergency Order 2-KS-61-22 prohibits the use of bait and limits sport fishing gear to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure while sport fishing in the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake effective 12:01 Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, Aug. 15, 2022.
■ 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 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 22 through 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022.
Kasilof River
■ Emergency order 2-RS-1-45-22 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 3. This regulatory change is effective through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022.
■ 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, 2022.
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.
