The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is reporting high water and turbid conditions in the Kenai River as a result of the heavy rains in recent weeks, according to the Sept. 8 Northern Kenai fishing report.

Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing in the middle and upper Kenai River is reportedly “fair.”

Coho salmon fishing on the upper and lower Kenai River is good and expected to remain good for the next few weeks. Bait and multiple hooks are now allowed.

ADF&G reminds anglers that the bag and possession limit for coho salmon is one per day and one in possession upstream of the power line near Sportsman’s Landing, and two per day and two in possession in other areas of the upper Kenai River.

In the lower Kenai River, the bag limit for coho salmon is three salmon per day.

Any king salmon caught while fishing for other species may not be retained or possessed and must be immediately released. Anglers should avoid fishing for coho salmon in areas of the river where king salmon are concentrated.

ADF&G recommends fishing at Centennial Park, Rotary Park, Donald E. Gilman River Center, the Soldotna Visitors Center, Moose Range Meadows or Soldotna Creek Park.

Kasilof River

Coho salmon fishing is good. The ADF&G Division of Sport Fish suggests fishing from the shore at Crooked Creek State Recreation Site.

Other

Coho fishing has slowed in Resurrection Creek, but is expected to improve. Swanson River coho salmon sport fishing is also being reported as good.

Coho salmon fishing in the Russian River has improved and is being reported as good. Bag and possession limits are one per day and one in possession. Coho salmon removed from the water must be retained and become part of the bag limit of the person who hooked the fish. Coho salmon 16 inches or longer must not be removed from the water before release.

Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden fishing is good in the Russian River.

Local Lakes

Elephant (Spirit) Lake’s access gate has been closed, and will remain closed through the end of the month. Fishing in stocked lakes should be excellent. Fishing for rainbow trout, Arctic char, Arctic grayling and landlocked salmon “should be good to excellent.” It is suggested by the Division of Sport Fish that anglers try fishing with dry or wet flies, like an egg sucking leech, bead head nymph or mosquito pattern. Small spoons and spinners size #0 or #2 as well as small bait under a bobber, are recommended.

Emergency Orders

Please review the emergency orders and advisory announcements below in their entirety before heading out on your next fishing trip.

Local Lakes

Emergency Order 2-NP-1-04-22 prohibits the retention of any species of fish in East Mackey, West Mackey, Sevena, Union, and Derks lakes for the 2022 season.

Emergency Order 2-DV-1-03-22 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 2022 season.