(Released: June 11, 2018 - Expired: June 30, 2018)

Division of Sport Fish
Tom Brookover, Director
Anchorage Headquarters Office
333 Raspberry Road
Anchorage, AK 99518


Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Sam Cotten, Commissioner
P.O. Box 115526
Juneau, AK 99811-5526
www.adfg.alaska.gov


Contact: Matt Miller, Cook Inlet Management Coordinator
(907) 262-9368

Early-run King Salmon Sport Fishery Restrictions on the Kasilof River

(Soldotna) – In favor of protecting returning king salmon and increased fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is prohibiting the retention of naturally-produced king salmon, reducing the bag and possession limit of hatchery-produced king salmon 20 inches or greater in length to one fish, and limiting sport fishing gear to one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure on the Kasilof River. Naturally-produced king salmon caught may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. A naturally-produced king salmon is a king salmon with an adipose fin intact. These sport fishing restrictions on the Kasilof River are effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 13 through 11:59 p.m., Saturday, June 30, 2018.

On June 11, 2018, the ADF&G issued a sport fishing regulation restriction prohibiting the retention of early-run, tributary spawning king salmon on the Kenai River drainage. This action will likely result in an increase in the sport fishing effort and catch of king salmon on the Kasilof River. ADF&G manages the Kasilof River king salmon sport fishery to achieve a sustainable escapement goal of 650 to 1,700 naturally-produced king salmon as monitored through a weir located on Crooked Creek.

Production of hatchery-produced king salmon to enhance the Kasilof River early-run king salmon fishery originates from naturally-produced king salmon that are surplus to Crooked Creek escapement needs. In addition, hatchery-produced fish that reach the weir may be used to supplement king salmon stocking programs at other Southcentral Alaska locations; therefore, providing increased harvest opportunity in the Kasilof River early-run king salmon sport fishery as well as other Southcentral Alaska king salmon sport fisheries. ADF&G staff will be closely monitoring this fishery as the season progresses and additional actions may be taken if necessary.

For additional information, please contact Cook Inlet Management Coordinator Matt Miller at (907) 262-9368.

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