(Soldotna) - Sport fishing will be permitted at East and West Mackey, Sevena, Union, and Derks lakes; however, the retention of all species of fish is prohibited at these lakes.

These restrictions will be in effect from 12:01 a.m. Monday, January 1, 2018, through 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 31, 2018.

From 2014-2017, East and West Mackey, Sevena, Union, and Derks lakes were successfully treated with rotenone to eradicate nonnative northern pike. During 2015–2017, Alaska Department of Fish and Game staff captured and transported approximately 92,000 native fish from Soldotna Creek to these lakes to aid in the restoration of the native fish assemblages. These restrictions are needed to protect these native fish until they can propagate naturally.

“The sport fish transported to these lakes are still primarily small juveniles and younger fish. There are many other lakes on the Kenai Peninsula where anglers can target various species,” Jason Pawluk, the Assistant Area Management Biologist in Soldotna said. “Data collected over the past year are encouraging for the health and long-term success of these fish; however, it’s best to maintain a conservative approach until they can reach maturity.”

Pawluk also added that anglers may only use standard ice fishing gear (two lines) while sport fishing through the ice on all the above lakes. The only locations on the Kenai Peninsula where five lines are allowed to be fished for northern pike through the ice are on the Tote Road lakes. The Tote Road lakes have yet to be treated with rotenone and northern pike are still present. There is no bag or possession limit on northern pike in Southcentral. Anglers are encouraged to retain all northern pike they catch and not to release live northern pike back into the water.

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