A Northern Kenai Fishing Report published by the State Department of Fish and Game on Wednesday says sockeye are running strong on the Kenai River and Kasilof River. This is the last weekend for Kenai River dipnetting.
Freshwater Fishing
Kenai Lake, the Kenai River and its tributaries are open for fishing for all species other than king salmon. Fishers are reporting good sockeye fishing. The sockeye bag limit from the mouth of the Kenai River to Skilak Lake is six per day and 12 in possession.
The Kenai River personal use dipnet fishery is open for one more weekend, closing July 31. Dipnetting is open 24 hours per day. Permits must be returned by Aug. 31 or fishers will be unable to get a permit next year.
More than 1 million sockeye salmon have been counted by sonar on the Kenai River during the late run. This year’s count far outpaces each of the last four years. The escapement goal for the species on the river is 750,000 to 1.3 million.
The Kenai River’s late-run of king salmon, which cannot be retained or removed from the water, has as of Wednesday only seen 2,500 large kings, half as many as were counted at this time last year and far below the optimal escapement goal for the species of 15,000 to 30,000 fish.
Russian River and the Russian River sanctuary area are open to sockeye fishing. Sockeye are “showing up,” the report says. The daily limit for sockeye salmon on the Russian River and in Russian River Sancturary is three and the possession limit is six.
On the Russian River, nearly 8,000 have been counted as of Wednesday in the late run.
As of Tuesday, nearly 30,000 sockeye have been counted in the Russian River’s early run. The escapement goal for the run is 22,000 to 42,000.
The Kasilof River is closed by emergency order to all king salmon fishing, including catch and release or for hatchery salmon. Nearly 750,000 sockeye have been counted on the river, and the report says “Kasilof River sockeye salmon just keep coming.”
The escapement goal for Kasilof sockeye is 140,000 to 370,000, exceeded on July 9.
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-1-42-24 opens the Kenai River Personal Use Dipnet Fishery to 24 hours per day.
Emergency Order 2-RS-1-32-24 opens the Russian River Sanctuary Area to sport fishing for sockeye salmon.
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.
Emergency Order 2-RS-1-27-24 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.
