(Homer) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is modifying the bag and possession limits of king salmon and legal gear in the Ninilchik River. For king salmon 20 inches or greater in length, the bag and possession limits will increase from one fish to two hatchery king salmon. The bag and possession limits for king salmon under 20 inches will be restricted to 10 hatchery king salmon. The use of bait is allowed but gear is restricted to one single-hook. Hatchery king salmon are recognized by a missing adipose fin and healed adipose fin clip scar. All naturally-produced or wild king salmon have an adipose fin, may not be removed from the water, and must be released immediately. The gear restrictions are effective from 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 28 through 11:59 p.m., Friday July 15, 2022. The bag and possession limits are effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 28 through 11:59 p.m. Monday, October 31, 2022.

The Ninilchik River will be open to sport fishing during the Memorial Day weekend (May 28 - 30), and the following two weekends and Mondays following each weekend (June 4 - 6 and June 11 - 13), the Youth-Only Fishery (June 8), and continuously seven days a week starting June 16. All other Ninilchik River sport fishing regulations outlined in the 2022 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet (available March 2022).

“The recent runs of hatchery king salmon in the Ninilchik River have provided good harvest opportunities and we are expecting a similar run this season,” stated Area Management Biologist Mike Booz. “At the same time, the wild king salmon runs have been just enough to make the escapement goal and provide broodstock for the Ninilchik River stocking goal. Closing the harvest of wild fish will provide more fish towards these goals and prohibiting treble hooks should help anglers release wild king salmon more quickly.”

In conjunction with these restrictions, Emergency Order 2-KS-7-10-22 reduces the annual limit of king salmon 20 inches or greater in length from five to two fish in the Cook Inlet salt waters north of the latitude of Bluff Point and closes king salmon fishing within one mile of shore in Cook Inlet salt waters north of Bluff Point from 12:01 a.m. Sunday, May 1 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 2022. Please review these emergency orders or advisory announcements in their entirety for the specific regulatory changes. In addition, Emergency Order 2-KS-7-11-22 restricts sport fishing for king salmon to catch-and-release only and gear is restricted to only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure during the dates open to king salmon fishing in the Anchor River and Deep Creek. These changes are effective 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 21 through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2022. Please review these emergency orders and advisory announcements in their entirety for the specific regulatory changes.

King salmon escapement monitoring will begin in May on the Anchor, Kenai, and Ninilchik rivers. As the runs progress, run strength will be evaluated to determine inseason management actions.

For additional information, please contact Area Management Biologist Mike Booz or Assistant Area Management Biologist Holly Dickson at 907-235-8191.

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