A Northern Kenai Fishing report published by the Department of Fish and Game on Friday says that fishing for sockeye salmon remains “good to excellent” on the Russian River, while sockeye fishing is slower on the Lower Kenai River and the Kasilof River.
Freshwater Fishing
Kenai River
The report says that in the Lower Kenai River, fishing for sockeye salmon has been slow. The department recommends fishing at Centennial park, Rotary Park, Donald E. Gilman River Center, the Soldotna Visitors Center, Moose Range Meadows or Soldotna Creek Park. The water conditions are reportedly turbid.
Fishing for rainbow trout in the middle Kenai River is “fair,” the report says.
Kasilof River
In the Kasilof River, hatchery king salmon can be kept. The department says the fishery is “slow to fair.” Hatchery salmon do not have an adipose fin, and any naturally produced king salmon that do have an adipose fin may not be removed from the water and must be immediately released. Additionally, only one single-hook may be used. The department recommends trying to fish from the shore of the Crooked Creek State Recreation Site.
Sockeye salmon fishing on the Kasilof is described as “fair for anglers willing to put in the time.” The department recommends fishing from the shore at Crooked Creek State Recreation Site.
Russian River
Sockeye fishing on the Russian River is “good to excellent,” and expected to stay good. Bag limits are set to increase on Sunday to nine per day and 18 in possession.
The department warns of limited parking and long waits to access the Russian River Campground. Anglers should be cautious when driving and shouldn’t park on the Sterling Highway. The report also reminds anglers that fish carcasses need to be removed from Russian River clear water and taken to cleaning tables near the mainstem Kenai River.
“Please respect habitat and cultural resource protection sites that are fenced or roped off, stay on the established trails and boardwalks, and use public restroom facilities in the campgrounds and ferry areas,” the report reads.
Personal Use
Dipnetting on the Kasilof River will open on Sunday, June 25. Dipnetting will be open 24 hours per day, seven days per week. An emergency order this week expanded the area that will be open for dipnetting.
Personal use set gillnet fishing on the Kasilof was closed by emergency order earlier this month.
Local Lakes
Fishing on local lakes for rainbow trout, Arctic char, Arctic grayling and landlocked salmon “is good to excellent.” The report recommends fishing with dry or wet flies such as an egg sucking leech, bead head nymph, or mosquito pattern; small spoons and spinners size #0 or #2; or small bait under a bobber.
Johnson Lake is “fishing excellent,” and is a good choice for young anglers, the report says.
Island and Spirit Lakes were stocked with 5,400 Arctic char on June 15, fishing is “good.”
Emergency Orders
Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.
Kenai River
Emergency Order 2-RS-1-29-23 increases the bag and possession limits for salmon, other than king salmon, to nine fish per day and 18 fish in possession in that area of the Kenai River upstream from Skilak Lake to ADF&G regulatory markers located approximately 300 yards upstream of the public boat launch at Sportsman’s Landing and the Russian River from its mouth upstream to an ADF&G marker located approximately 600 yards downstream from the Russian River Falls effective 12:01 a.m. Sunday, June 18, 2023, through 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 14, 2023. This liberalization will supersede Emergency Order 2-RS-1-27-23 when it takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, June 25. It will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on July 14.
Emergency Order 2-RS-1-27-23 increases the bag and possession limits for salmon, other than king salmon, to six fish per day and 12 fish in possession in that area of the Kenai River upstream from Skilak Lake to ADF&G regulatory markers located approximately 300 yards upstream of the public boat launch at Sportsman’s Landing and the Russian River from its mouth upstream to an ADF&G marker located approximately 600 yards downstream from the Russian River Falls 12:01 a.m. Sunday, June 18 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 14, 2023.
Emergency Order 2-RS-1-25-23 opens the Russian River Sanctuary area to sport fishing for sockeye salmon.
Emergency Order 2-KS-1-10-23 closes sport fishing for king salmon of all sizes in the Kenai River from the mouth upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake from 12:01 a.m. Monday, May 1 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, June 30, 2023. Fishing for king salmon will remain closed from 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 1 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 31, 2023, in waters of the Kenai River drainage from an ADF&G regulatory marker located approximately 300 yards downstream from the mouth of Slikok Creek, upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake. This closure prohibits all sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. King salmon may not be retained or possessed; king salmon accidentally caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
Emergency Order 2-KS-1-11-23 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. Saturday, July 1 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 31, 2023. This closure prohibits all sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. King salmon may not be retained or possessed; king salmon caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
Kasilof River
Emergency Order 2-KS-1-08-23 prohibits the retention of naturally produced king salmon beginning 12:01 a.m. Monday, May 1 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, June 30, 2023. Additionally, only one single-hook either baited, unbaited, or on an artificial lure may be used beginning 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, May 16 through 11:59 p.m. Friday, June 30, 2023. Single-hook means a fishhook with only one point. Naturally produced king salmon have an adipose fin and may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
Personal Use
Emergency order 2-RS-1-28-23 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 3 effective 12:01 a.m. Sunday, June 25 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, Aug. 7, 2023.
To reduce the mortality of Kenai River king salmon, the personal use set gillnet fishery at the mouth of the Kasilof River is closed by Emergency Order 2-RS-1-24-23. This emergency order is effective 6:00 a.m. Thursday, June 15, 2023, through 11 p.m. Saturday, June 24, 2023.
Cook Inlet Salt Waters
Emergency Order 2-KS-7-15-23 prohibits sport fishing for king salmon (including catch-and-release) in the salt waters of Cook Inlet north of the latitude of Bluff Point (59° 40.00’ N. lat.) effective 12:01 a.m. Monday, May 15 through Monday, July 31. King salmon incidentally caught while fishing for other fish may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
Local Lakes
Emergency Order 2-NP-1-04-23 prohibits the retention of any species of fish in East Mackey, West Mackey and Derks lakes for the 2023 season.
Emergency Order 2-DV-1-03-23 establishes a bag and possession limit of Arctic char/Dolly Varden in Stormy Lake of one fish, less than 16 inches in length for the 2023 season.
