Press Release ADF&G Logo
ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Sam Cotten, Commissioner

DIVISION OF SPORT FISH
Tom Brookover, Director

Contact:
Robert Begich
Area Management Biologist
Phone: 907-262-9368

July 28, 2015

KENAI RIVER SOCKEYE BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS TO INCREASE BEGINNING 12:01 A.M. WEDNESDAY, JULY 29

The sport fishing bag and possession limit for sockeye salmon 16 inches or longer in the Kenai River downstream of Skilak Lake will be increased to six per day, twelve in possession, beginning 12:01 a.m., Wednesday, July 29. This includes the flowing waters of the Kenai River from its mouth upstream to an ADF&G regulatory marker located at the outlet of Skilak Lake.

The Kenai River Late-Run Sockeye Salmon Management Plan allows the department to increase bag and possession limits for sockeye salmon when the late-run of Kenai River sockeye salmon exceeds 2.3 million salmon. As of July 28, 2015, the department projects the Kenai River sockeye salmon late-run will exceed 2.3 million fish and anticipates the optimal escapement goal (700,000 – 1,400,000 sockeye salmon) will be achieved. Therefore, it is warranted to increase the bag and possession limit for salmon, other than king, pink, chum and coho salmon, to six per day and twelve in possession, of which no more than two may be coho salmon.

Anglers should be advised that this action to liberalize bag and possession limits does not mean that fishing success will dramatically increase. Fish passage into the Kenai River fluctuates on a daily basis making some day’s better fishing than others.

Anglers are reminded to review the Kenai River riverbank closures for habitat protection regulations described on pages 72 through 74 as well as the fly-fishing only waters downstream of Skilak Lake described on pages 70 and 71 of the 2015 Southcentral Alaska Sport Fishing Regulations Summary booklet. In addition, please respect riverbank restoration projects and private property in the Kenai River corridor.