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ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Cora Campbell, Acting Commissioner

DIVISION OF SPORT FISH
Charles O. Swanton, Director

Contact:
Robert Begich
Area Management Biologist
Phone: 907-262-9368

June 25, 2013

KENAI RIVER SPORT FISHERY RE-OPENS FOR LATE-RUN KING SALMON; BAIT PROHIBITED

Kenai River anglers are advised that, in a continued effort to conserve early-run king salmon and ensure adequate escapement of late-run king salmon, the use of bait and multiple hooks is prohibited in the Kenai River from its 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, effective 12:01 a.m., Monday, July 1, 2013 through 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, July 31, 2013. Anglers may use only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure. The Kenai River, from a department marker located 300 yards downstream of Slikok Creek upstream to Skilak Lake, will remain closed to king salmon fishing through July 14. 

July 1 marks the opening of the late-run king salmon fishery on the Kenai River from it's mouth upstream to a department markers located 300 yards downstream of Slikok Creek.  The run will be monitored closely for the need to restrict further, or the opportunity to return regulations to normal should run strength allow. Updates on the run and fishery status can be found under “fish counts” on the department’s web site.

King salmon runs to Cook Inlet, including early-run Kenai River king salmon, and throughout Alaska are experiencing a period of low productivity with the 2013 runs being less than preseason forecasts and of low run strength. Based upon the relationship between early-run king salmon abundance and late-run abundance, it is likely the Kenai River late-run will also experience below average run strength and be well below the preseason forecast. The prohibition on the use of bait during July will reduce the harvest rate of both early- and late-run stocks. In addition to conserving these stocks, this action may delay or avoid further restrictions to the in-river sport fishery as well as other fisheries harvesting late-run Kenai River king salmon. Therefore, these measures are warranted to ensure adequate escapement of Kenai River early- and late-run king salmon.