(Kenai) – The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) manages the Kenai River early-run king salmon run to achieve an escapement goal of 3,900 to 6,600 large king salmon greater than 34 inches total length. In order to help achieve the escapement goal, bait will be allowed from the mouth to the markers ~300 yards below Slikok Creek in the waters of the Kenai River effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 21.

Through Monday, June 19, with an average of 74% of the run past the sonar, the cumulative count is about 6,050 large king salmon, and the final projected inriver run is 8,240 large king salmon. Accounting for current harvest levels, the projected escapement on June 30 is 7,700 large king salmon, over 1,000 fish above the goal. Therefore, it is warranted to liberalize this fishery by allowing the use of bait to help achieve the escapement goal. The maximum size limit of less than 46 inches remains in effect through June 30. Upstream of the Slikok Creek markers anglers remain limited to unbaited, single-hook artificial lures with a size limit of king salmon less than 36 inches total length.

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