The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced summer sport fishing regulations Wednesday, limiting king salmon fishing in the Kasilof, Kenai, Ninilchik and Anchor Rivers, as well as Cook Inlet salt waters.
Kasilof River
On the Kasilof, from 12:01 a.m. on May 1 through 11:59 p.m. on June 30, the bag and possession limit for king salmon 20 inches or greater in length is two hatchery-produced fish, which are recognizable by a healed adipose fin-clip scar. Additionally, only one single-hook lure may be used — baited, unbaited or with an artificial lure. Naturally produced kings must be released.
For the late run — from 12:01 a.m. on July 1 through 11:59 p.m. on July 31 — the bag and possession limit for kings 20 inches or longer is one. The use of bait is prohibited during the late run, and naturally produced kings must be released.
Kenai River
Effective 12:01 a.m. July 1 through July 31 on the Kenai, the king salmon fishery is restricted to catch and release only from the river mouth upstream to the ADF&G regulatory marker at the outlet of Skilak Lake. Only one unbaited single-hook lure may be used.
Cook Inlet
From 12:01 a.m. May 1 through 11:49 a.m. July 31, the annual limit of king salmon 20 inches or longer will be reduced from five to two fish in the Cook Inlet salt waters north of the latitude of Bluff Point, and king fishing is closed within one mile of shore in the area.
Anchor River
In Anchor River and Deep Creek from 12:01 a.m. on May 21 through 11:59 p.m. on June 22, king sport fishing is restricted to catch and release only. Anglers may use only one unbaited single-hook artificial lure.
Ninilchik River
Effective 12:01 a.m. on May 28 through 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 31, bag and possession limits for king salmon on the Ninilchik River 20 inches or greater will increase from one to two hatchery kings. The bag and possession limits for kings under 20 inches will be restricted to 10 hatchery salmon.
In addition, bait is allowed but gear is restricted to one single-hook lure, effective 12:01 a.m. May 28 through 11:59 p.m. July 15.
This story was updated to accurately reflect gear restrictions in the Kasilof River.
Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.
