Wildfires have put a damper on fishing on the Kenai River.

The Swan Lake Fire has forced the closure of the Kenai River Special Management Area between Cooper Landing state boat launch to Skilak Lake, Jim’s Landing, Sportsman’s Landing, Russian River Ferry Service and the Russian River Campground, including Russian River public use cabins, Skilak Lake Road, other public use cabins, and adjacent recreational trails in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Chugach National Forest areas.

But, away from Cooper Landing, the coho salmon fishing is improving. Cohos on the Kasilof are fair, according to the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, and fishing on the Swanson River should improve in the coming weeks.

Coho fishing in Seward has been good, with some fish getting picked up closer to town, but the bulk of the fishing is to be had out past Caines Head.

Many anglers hoping to reel in a halibut are picking up cohos, meaning anglers should be fishing deep for coho salmon.