The Kenai River personal use dipnet fishery opens July 10.
Only Alaska residents may participate in this fishery, and a valid sport fishing license and personal use permit are required. These permits can be purchased through the Department of Fish and Game, or through an approved third party. In Kenai, those include Safeway, Three Bears and Walmart; in Soldotna, permits can be purchased at Fred Meyer, Sportsman’s Warehouse and Tesoro, among others. For a full list of third-party Cook Inlet personal use salmon permit vendors, visit the Department of Fish and Game website.
Permits are also available online through the department’s online store at https://store.adfg.alaska.gov.
Dipnet harvest limits are combined with other Upper Cook Inlet personal use salmon fisheries, like the Kasilof River dipnet and gillnet fisheries, as well as the Fish Creek dipnet fishery. The total yearly harvest for the Upper Cook Inlet personal use salmon fisheries, which include the Kenai, Kasilof and Fish Creek fisheries, is 25 salmon and 10 flounder for the permit holder and 10 salmon for each additional household member. All fish must be recorded and marked by clipping the tail fins. King salmon may not be kept in the Fish Creek dipnet fishery.
Dipnetting from a boat is permitted during the same season and times as shore dipnetting, according to the Department of Fish and Game, and all permit and harvest limits apply. Fish need to be recorded and marked before going upstream of the Warren Ames Bridge.
Dipnet season runs from July 10 through July 31, and is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., regardless of the tides.
For more information, visit the Kenai River Personal Use Fishing page on the Department of Fish and Game’s website.
Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.
