The State Department of Fish and Game released their first Northern Kenai fishing report on Monday, June 2. While the Kenai River remains closed to fishing until June 11, some fishers are finding success on the Kasilof and in stocked local lakes.

Freshwater fishing

Fishing is closed on the Kenai and Russian rivers, as well as Kenai Lake and other Kenai River tributaries until June 11. The Russian River weir was installed Monday, the report says, and escapement counts “will be coming online soon.”

On the Kenai River, 138 large king salmon have been counted since May 16. That’s slightly above the totals counted at this time in each of the last three years, though the report notes that king salmon passage “remains low.”

Fishing for hatchery king salmon is open on the Kasilof River, where fishers are “beginning to have some success.” Only hatchery kings, recognizable by a missing adipose fin, can be retained; wild kings must be immediately released.

Crooked Creek weir is in place will begin to count and collect adult king salmon next week, after hatchery king smolt are released.

Saltwater fishing

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

Personal use fishing for herring and hooligan has closed in saltwaters and is “beginning to taper off” in-river. While some people are still fishing for herring and hooligan, “harvest is low.”

Local Lakes

The department recently has stocked Arc, Longmere, Scout, Spirit and Sport Lakes, and fishing on each of the stocked lakes “has been good.”

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 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.

Emergency Order 2-RS-1-4-25 closes the first three days of the personal use set gillnet fishery at the mouth of the Kasilof River. The fishery will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, from Wednesday, June 18, through 11 p.m. Tuesday, June 24.