A northern Kenai fishing report published by the State Department of Fish and Game on Tuesday says late-run sockeye are starting to show up in the Russian and Kenai Rivers.

Freshwater fishing

The Russian River and Russian River Sanctuary are open to fishing, with bag limits of three sockeye per day and six in possession. Per fish counts from the department, this year’s early run counted around 37,000 sockeye — more than were counted last year but fewer than counts in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Sockeye fishing on the river “has started to pick up,” the report says, as late-run fish are starting to show up.

Sockeye fishing on the Kasilof River “has been good.” The department doubled the bag limit last month in response to a strong run. Counts have declined somewhat from a peak of nearly 42,000 on July 8, but the department is still reporting around 20,000 fish counted per day. This year’s total count, currently over 645,000 fish, far outpaces the counts in each of the last four years and the river’s biological escapement goal has been exceeded.

On the Kenai River, between 20,000 and 45,000 sockeye have been counted each day for the last week. Fishing is “picking up as the season progresses.” So far, 313,000 total have been counted — fewer than this time last year, but more than 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Nearly 4,000 king salmon have been counted in the Kenai River’s late run since July 1 — an improvement over the counts in recent years, but there’s still a long way to go to reach an escapement goal of 15,000-30,000.

Fishers are “having success” fishing for rainbow trout and Dolly Varden on the Kenai, using flesh flies and bead patterns.

Saltwater fishing

Shore fishing for halibut and cod is “picking up” at local beaches.

Local Lakes

The local stocked lakes continue to be fishing well. Johnson Lake in Kasilof is spotlighted in the report as “a great spot to catch some hungry rainbows on dry flies.”

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-KS-1-1-25 closes king salmon sport fishing (including catch and release) in the Kasilof River downstream of the Sterling Highway Bridge to the river mouth from 12:01 a.m. Thursday, July 10, through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, July 31. Additionally, gear is restricted to only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure or fly through 11:59 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15.

Emergency Order 2-RS-1-29-25 opens the Russian River Sanctuary Area to sport fishing for sockeye salmon.

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.

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.