(Soldotna) - In favor of protecting returning king salmon and ensuring sport fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing the early-run king salmon sport fishery in the Kenai River drainage downstream of the outlet of Skilak Lake effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 10, 2020. From June 10 through June 30, fishing for king salmon of any size, including catch-and-release, is closed in the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake. The closure for king salmon fishing will continue July 1 through July 31, in waters from an ADF&G regulatory marker located approximately 300 yards downstream from the mouth of Slikok Creek upstream to the outlet of Skilak Lake. King salmon caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately.

“In an effort to protect Kenai River early-run king salmon and as directed by the regulatory management plan, the early-run king salmon fishery is closed to sport fishing in an effort to meet the early-run escapement goal of 3,900 to 6,600 large king salmon,” stated Area Management Biologist Colton Lipka.

Through June 7, 2020, an estimated 583 large king salmon have passed the RM 13.7 king salmon sonar, which is well below the preseason forecast. The inseason escapement projection ranges from approximately 1,475 based on average run timing to 2,193 based on a run timing of 3 days late.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Colton Lipka at (907) 262-9368.

#20-2948