Contact:
Robert Begich
Area Management Biologist
Phone: 907-262-9368
June 26, 2014
The use of bait and multiple hooks is prohibited in the Kasilof River from its mouth upstream to the Sterling Highway bridge, effective 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, July 1, through 11:59 p.m., Thursday, July 31, 2014. Anglers may use only one unbaited, single-hook, artificial lure. “Single hook” means a fishhook with only one point (with or without a barb).
King salmon stocks throughout Cook Inlet are experiencing a period of low productivity and, since 2009, below average run strength. That trend has continued during 2014. The department’s information, including data from inriver assessment programs, indicates king salmon abundance is low.
The department 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 at the department facility located on Crooked Creek. As of June 24, the escapement was 101 naturally-produced king salmon and it is uncertain if the sustainable escapement goal will be achieved and/or broodstock will be available for egg takes in 2014.
Emergency Order No. 2-KS-1-26-14 was issued to restrict the late-run king salmon sport fishery in the Kenai River drainage during July. This emergency order will likely result in an increase in the sport fishing effort and catch of king salmon in the Kasilof River during July. Therefore, to minimize the effects of conservation actions for the Kenai River on the Kasilof River, prohibiting bait and multiple hooks is warranted to ensure adequate escapement of naturally-produced Crooked Creek early-run and Kasilof River late-run king salmon.