Contact:
Jason Pawluk
Acting Area Management Biologist
Phone: 907-262-9368

The late-run king salmon fishery on the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulatory markers at the outlet of Skilak Lake is open from July 1 through July 31. Anglers will be allowed to retain king salmon in this fishery and may only use one, unbaited, single hook artificial fly or lure. “Single hook” means a fish hook with only one point (with or without a barb).

Harvest of king salmon of any size will be allowed in a portion of the lower Kenai River from its mouth upstream to department regulatory markers located approximately 300 yards downstream from the mouth of Slikok Creek.

A limited harvest fishery for king salmon will be allowed from department regulatory markers located approximately 300 yards downstream from the mouth of Slikok Creek, upstream to a department marker at the outlet of Skilak Lake from July 1 through July 14. In this portion of the river, during this timeframe, king salmon between 42 inches and 55 inches may not be retained. From July 15 through July 31, in this section, anglers may retain king salmon of any size but may still only use one, unbaited single hook artificial fly or lure.

“The forecast for late-run king salmon on the Kenai River is for a total run of approximately 30,000 fish,” Jason Pawluk, the Acting Area Management Biologist in Soldotna, said. “Prohibiting the use of bait will reduce the potential for overharvest of king salmon in this fishery. In addition, allowing anglers to harvest king salmon in the middle river under these restrictions will provide further opportunity to sport fish anglers while still achieving the upper range of the early-run escapement goal.”

For more information, contact Sport Fish Acting Area Management Biologist Jason Pawluk at 907-262-9368.