Contact:
Tim McKinley
Area Research Biologist
Phone: (907) 262-9368
June 18, 2013
Kenai River anglers are advised that in an effort to meet early-run king salmon minimum escapement numbers, the department is implementing the following sport fishing restrictions: From 12:01 a.m., Thursday, June 20, through 11:59 p.m., Sunday, June 30, 2013:
• In the Kenai River, from the mouth upstream to Skilak Lake, and in the Moose River from its confluence with the Kenai River upstream to the northernmost edge of the Sterling Highway bridge, king salmon fishing is closed. No king salmon of any size may be retained. King salmon may not be targeted and any king salmon caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
From 12:01 a.m., Monday, July 1, through 11:59 p.m., Sunday, July 14, 2013:
• In the Kenai River from ADF&G regulatory markers located approximately 300 yards downstream from the mouth of Slikok Creek, upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake, and in the Moose River from its confluence with the Kenai River upstream to the northernmost edge of the Sterling Highway bridge, king salmon fishing is closed. No king salmon of any size may be retained. King salmon may not be targeted and any king salmon caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.
Through June 16, the DIDSON sonar estimates of king salmon passage and all indices used to assess abundance of early-run king salmon in the Kenai River indicate the 2013 run is the lowest on record. Given the unprecedented low number of early-run king salmon, the department has determined that it is necessary to close the Kenai River to sport fishing for early-run king salmon.
For information of inseason assessment of Kenai River king salmon visit our website at: http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/sf/FishCounts/index.cfm?ADFG=main.kenaiChinook.