(Soldotna) - In favor of protecting returning king salmon and increasing fishing opportunities in the future, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) is closing the king salmon fishery on the Kasilof River downstream of the Sterling Highway Bridge effective 12:01 a.m. Sunday, July 17 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 2022. Additionally, from the river mouth to the outlet of Tustumena Lake only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure may be used during this time.

Anglers are advised this closure prohibits all sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release fishing. King salmon may not be retained or possessed; king salmon caught while fishing for other species may not be removed from the water and must be released immediately. Anglers are also reminded that bait/scent and multiple hooks are prohibited downstream of the Sterling Highway Bridge.

“King salmon runs across the Kenai Peninsula are significantly below preseason expectations,” stated Area Management Biologist Colton Lipka. “Regulatory restrictions and closures have been issued across peninsula king salmon sport fisheries. These emergency orders will likely result in an increase in the sport fishing effort and catch of king salmon in the Kasilof River. Therefore, to minimize the effects of conservation actions for the Kenai River, it is warranted to close king salmon fishing on the Kasilof River to ensure adequate escapement of Kasilof River late-run king salmon.”

In conjunction with this restriction, Emergency Order 2-KS-1-53-22 closes the Kenai River to king salmon fishing from July 17 through July 31, 2022, and one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure may be used when sport fishing for other species in the Kenai River. In addition, Emergency Order 2-KS-7-55-22 closing all Cook Inlet saltwaters north of the latitude of Bluff Point (59° 40.00' N. lat.) to sport fishing for king salmon, including catch-and-release from July 18 through
July 31, 2022.

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

#22-3393