A Northern Kenai Fishing Report published by the State Department of Fish and Game on Wednesday says that sockeye fishing on the Kasilof River is good, while fishing for the same species on the Kenai River or Russian River is starting to improve.

Freshwater Fishing

Kenai Lake, the Kenai River and its tributaries are open for fishing for all species other than king salmon. The report says fishers are saying that sockeye fishing is “beginning to increase.”

Russian River fishing rates are similarly beginning to increase, the report says. The daily limit is three and the possession limit is six. The Russian River confluence is not open for fishing.

As of Tuesday, nearly 22,000 sockeye have been counted in the Russian River’s early run. The escapement goal for the run is 22,000 to 42,000. Catch rates are still being described as “slow.”

Kasilof River is open to fishing for hatchery king salmon, identifiable by a missing adipose fin. Wild king salmon, with an intact adipose fin, may not be retained and must be immediately released.

On the Kasilof River, 113,000 sockeye salmon have been counted as of Tuesday. This year’s count is far outpacing the last four years. On Tuesday alone, 14,000 fish were counted. The escapement goal for sockeye on the river is 140,000-370,000, and the department wrote this week that they project the goal to be wholly exceeded.

The strong run motivated new two emergency orders doubling the sport bag limit for Kasilof River sockeye and expanding the area open to personal use dipnetting on the Kasilof.

The weir at Crooked Creek is in place and “ready to receive adult king salmon,” but no fish have arrived yet. The report says “we expect to see them soon.”

On the Kenai River, king salmon are being counted daily, but “passage remains low.” For the early run, the escapement goal is 3,900-6,600, but only 1,200 have been counted with five days left to count. This year’s count is also the lowest in the last five years.

Saltwater Fishing

Fishers have been successful shore fishing for both halibut and cod at local beaches, the report says.

Local Lakes

Island, Scout, Upper Summit and Thetis Lake were recently stocked. Fishing on local 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.

NEW: Emergency Order 2-RS-1-26-24 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.

NEW: Emergency Order 2-RS-1-27-24 order increases the bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon, 16 inches or longer, to six fish per day and 12 in possession in all portions of the Kasilof River open to salmon fishing.

Emergency Order 2-KS-1-25-24 Effective 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 21 through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, 2024 on the Kasilof River from its mouth upstream to ADF&G markers at the outlet of Tustumena Lake only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure is allowed. Single hook means a fish hook with only one point.

Emergency Order 2-KS-1-18-24 prohibits the retention of naturally produced king salmon and reduces the gear to one single hook, artificial lure or fly, with the allowance of bait, on the Kasilof River.

Emergency Order 2-KS-1-08-24 closes the Kenai River to sport 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. Wednesday, May 1 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 30, 2024.

Emergency Order 2-KS-1-09-24 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. Monday, July 1 through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024.

The 2024 sport fishing license can be purchased through the Alaska Department of Fish and game mobile app, or at their website, adfg.alaska.gov.